Soil crusting in Western Samoa. Part II - Experimental investigation of factors influencing crust formation

Abstract

The Alafua Penetrometer was used to measure relative differences in soil crust strength. Crust strength and thickness were shown to increase with increases in rainfall amount, drying time, droplet size, kinetic energy and soil clay and silt content. The investigations were designed to illustrate some of the factors influencing crust formation to a diploma level soil conservation class.