UFO sightings in New Mexico correlate with patents granted in the US. Popularity of the first name Alix correlates with carjackings in the US. Obviously, correlations can tell us a lot while also telling us nothing at all. In this episode of Pipeline Things, we dive into geohazards, geohazard statistics, and how the stories they tell aren’t always what they seem.

Tune in as Rhett Dotson and Christopher De Leon return with The Dirt Merchant to discuss why shark attacks appear to rise with ice cream consumption, and what Alex’s PPIM 2026 paper tells us about the prevalence of landslides and hydrotechnical events over time.

Highlights:

• The use and limitations of the PHMSA significant incident database.

• The impacts of data quality

• The key question: Are we getting better at managing geohazards?

• Is it too soon to tell if our geohazard programs are working?

• How consumer behavior affects industry patterns related to failures.

Bonus: For other fun correlations, visit tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations. It’s a hoot and half if you’re a stat nerd like we are.

Connect:   

Rhett Dotson   

Christopher De Leon   

Alexander McKenzie-Johnson

D2 Integrity   

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Pipeline Things is presented by D2 Integrity and produced by FORME Marketing.    

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