Nel, WernerHauptfleisch, AlexiaSumner, P.D. (Paul)Boojhawon, RavindraRughooputh, Soonil D.D.V.Dhurmea, Kumar R.2016-09-202016-05Werner Nel, Alexia Hauptfleisch, Paul D. Sumner, Ravindra Boojhawon, Soonil D. D. V. Rughooputh & Kumar R. Dhurmea (2016) Intra-event characteristics of extreme erosive rainfall on Mauritius, Physical Geography, 37:3-4, 264-275, DOI:10.1080/02723646.2016.1189756.0272-3646 (print)1930-0557 (online)10.1080/02723646.2016.1189756http://hdl.handle.net/2263/56754Mauritius is a typical tropical volcanic island with a raised interior where extreme rainfall events generate the bulk of the erosivity. Intra-event characteristics of the 120 highest erosive events at six selected locations between 2004 and 2008 were analysed to provide the first detailed intra-storm data for a tropical island environment. On Mauritius, spatial variation is evident in the characteristics of the extreme erosive rainfall recorded at the stations, with a noticeable increase in rainfall depth, duration, kinetic energy and erosivity of extreme events with altitude. Extreme events in the raised interior (central plateau) show a high variability in peak intensity over time as well as a higher percentage of events with the greatest intensities in the latter part of the event. Intra-event distribution of rainfall in the interior of the island shows that rainfall has a higher potential to exceed infiltration rates as well as the ability to generate high peak runoff rates and substantial soil loss. The study suggests that even though the within-event rainfall characteristics is complex it has implications for soil erosion risk, and that in tropical island environments the within-storm distribution of rainfall must be incorporated in soil loss modelling.en© Taylor and Francis. This is an electronic version of an article published in Physical Geography, vol. 37, no. 3-4, pp. 264-275, 2016. doi : 10.1080/02723646.2016.1189756. Physical Geography is available online at : http://www.tandfonline.comloi/tphy20.ErosivityRainfall intensityRainfall kinetic energyMauritiusPostprint Article