Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Earth Science

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Geosciences

Advisor/Mentor

Dr. Brad Peter

Abstract

Natural hazards have become more frequent in recent years, and because of their destructive impacts, it is crucial to locate regions that are most affected historically by hazardous events and identify what socioeconomic characteristics co-occur spatially. While many studies have analyzed this relationship at national and state scales, few have focused specifically on Arkansas, and even fewer have incorporated multiple socioeconomic characteristics. Comparing the spatial distribution of community characteristics in Arkansas with zones of common natural hazards is essential for identifying who is most at risk. This study utilizes Geographic Information Science (GISci) to examine and map the spatial relationship between natural hazards and socioeconomic characteristics in Arkansas at the census tract level. Selected socioeconomic variables include percent agriculture, education level achieved, racial demographics, median home value, and median household income, while the natural hazards include floods and tornadoes. Bivariate analysis maps using the Lee’s L statistic were created to identify spatial relationships between each hazard and socioeconomic factor, highlighting areas where potential social vulnerability and hazard exposure overlap. Regions of high proportions of agricultural land, low home value, and low median income are associated with high flood area proportions, especially in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. Few areas of significant association were found between tornado events and socioeconomic factors, but some localized tracts show association between tornado events, high agricultural area, low home value, and low income, similarly to flood associations. Identifying areas of overlap with disadvantaged communities and zones of natural hazard risk across all socioeconomic factors can help inform state and local decision makers in developing strategies to improve the safety and resilience of at-risk communities.

Keywords

Arkansas; Socioeconomic; Hazards; Lee's L; Vulnerability; Statistics

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