From Dry Slopes to Disaster Zones: Why Landslide Modeling Needs a Rain Check
When do landslides actually happen? Not when the slope is steep—but when it’s steep, saturated, and pushed past its tipping point. And yet: most landslide models in use today ignore that final push. They tell us where landslides might occur based on slope and soil—but not when. And that omission is what leaves so many […]
What Makes a Good Hazard Model for Critical Infrastructure Operations? 6 Questions to Ask
Hazard models are everywhere, from FEMA flood maps to state landslide inventories to national wildfire indices. But not all models are created equal. For infrastructure operators (be it pipelines, utilities, transportation, renewables and beyond), integrity engineers, and damage prevention teams, these models directly influence decisions on where to deploy crews, how to prioritize integrity management […]
Navigating Weather and External Force Threats in Pipeline Integrity: Key Insights from Industry Leaders
On March 3, 2025, Teren hosted an expert panel in Houston, bringing together leading pipeline operators and industry experts to discuss the evolving threats posed by weather and external forces. The panel featured a geohazard program representative from an industry partner, Jared Kowis (Enbridge), Moness Rizkalla (Visitless Integrity Assessment Ltd) and was moderated by Brian […]
API RP 1187 Recommended Practice for Managing Landslide Hazards for Pipeline Integrity Explained, and How to Implement
Introduction to API Recommended Practices Landslides are complex geological phenomena that can have devastating effects on pipeline infrastructure and pose a significant threat to pipelines crossing complex terrain. They can be caused by both natural events and human activities and represent a constant risk to operations, especially in pipelines traversing mountainous or unstable areas. API […]
Understanding Post-Wildfire Hazards & Insurance Implications: A Conversation with Leading Geomorphologist John Norman
As wildfires like the recent ones in Los Angeles become increasingly prevalent across our landscapes, understanding their long-term impacts becomes crucial for land managers and insurance providers alike. We sat down with Teren’s John Norman, a geomorphologist with over two decades of experience studying post-wildfire landscapes, to discuss the critical risks and considerations facing professionals […]
Debris Flows: Understanding Nature’s Destructive Geological Phenomenon
Introduction Nature has few forces as swift and destructive as debris flows. These geological phenomena are more than just landslides – they’re powerful, unpredictable forces that can change terrain in an instant. They occur in a wide variety of environments and generally happen during intense rainfall or rapid snowmelt, often starting on hillsides or mountains. […]
Predicting Landslides: Teren’s Hydrology Modeling Validated by Hurricane Helene
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Teren worked with USGS data to validate its innovative approach to predicting landslides triggered by extreme weather events. Mapping the Risks: Before and After Helene The study used Teren’s slope stability analysis, which calculates a balance between resisting and driving forces in soil. The analysis began with a pre-Helene […]
From Polar Bears to Landslides: A Geomorphologist’s Quest to Solve Nature’s Greatest Mysteries Through Soil
In his 25+ years as a geomorphologist, soil scientist and quantitative spatial ecologist, John Norman has navigated the realms of the impossible more than once. From predicting landslide risks to studying soil moisture, his journey has been one of transforming once “impossible” tasks into actionable science. But one project stands out: the time he was […]
AI and Data Science: 3 Emerging Trends to Solve Environmental Challenges
Discover how AI is revolutionizing data science. Learn how data analysis and insights from AI can help tackle complex and costly environmental issues.
7 geologic hazards and their water-related triggers
Water is a powerful force that shapes our environment and influences a variety of geologic hazards. In this article, we delve into 7 geologic hazards and their water-related triggers, exploring how hydrology helps us understand and mitigate these dangers. What is Hydrology? Hydrology is the study of water and its movement, distribution, and properties in […]