An Analysis into Relationships that may Exist between Population and the Reported Number of Tornadoes in the Continental United States

Author

Adam Bundick Thomas

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Brown, Michael E.

Committee Member

Dyer, Jamie L.

Committee Member

Rodgers John, C. III

Committee Member

Dixon, Paul G.

Date of Degree

5-3-2008

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Geosciences

Degree Name

Master of Science

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Geosciences

Abstract

Many studies have suggested that the tornado database is biased by the concentration of human observers. Some studies have shown a possible 66% decrease in tornado reporting can be directly attributed to population density. This study examines whether or not such biases exist throughout the United States. Population data are compared to the historical tornado database in order to better understand the relationship(s) between each variable. Various statistical and spatial techniques are implemented in order to better identify relationships. As expected, weak (F0-F1) tornadoes show a correlation to both population patterns and travel routes. However, not all regions of the United States share the same relationships during the study period. Therefore, any meaningful adjustment to the tornado climatology cannot be made because of the variation in both spatial and temporal changes.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/20780

Recommended Citation

Thomas, Adam Bundick, "An Analysis into Relationships that may Exist between Population and the Reported Number of Tornadoes in the Continental United States" (2008). Theses and Dissertations. 456.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/456