INVESTIGATING HEATWAVE DYNAMICS ALONG THE LOS ANGELES RIVER USING GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS

Heatwaves are increasing in frequency and severity due to climate change, which poses risks to urban environments, public health and ecosystems. These risks include a rise in heat-related illnesses, increased energy demands, and heightened stress on aquatic life. In densely populated cities such as Los Angeles, heatwaves worsen the urban heat island (UHI) effect, where urbanized areas experience higher temperatures as opposed to rural regions. The Los Angeles River, a vital component of the city’s ecosystem, serves both natural and engineered functions within the urban landscape. Its potential role in mitigating heat during extreme weather events presents an opportunity for further investigation. This study aims to examine the spatial dynamics of heatwaves along the Los Angeles River by using geospatial tools to assess temperature variations in areas adjacent to the river. To achieve this, multiple Landsat 8 images were obtained from the USGS Earth Explorer platform and analyzed to detect surface temperature variations during several heatwave events. ArcGIS Pro was used to process and interpret the images, applying buffer zones of 1 meter and 100 meters around the river to evaluate the influence of proximity on temperature patterns. By combining high-resolution Landsat 8 data with geospatial analysis, this research provides valuable insights into the relationship between urban rivers, land use, and the urban heat island effect. The findings aim to inform urban planning and climate adaptation strategies to enhance resiliency against extreme heat events in Los Angeles.