Science applied properly is usually close to the mark, as opposed to those in the industry who are just looking like they know what they're doing. There are some very weird things which really take the cake though, and the explanations are long and tricky that often enough only those in that field truly comprehend it.
I would presume your QED is the path into earth at near perpendicular isn't a straight line but a curve. Still though on impact, there is nothing prohibiting any number to strikes to hit such that it would seem perpendicular and blast energy is transmitted uniformly in all directions.
There are iirc many strikes which are not perpendicular.
I also can't recall an idiom which goes along the lines of there's nothing more scary / frightening than ...
... ok new message and I can't tell if you're just being sarcastic now but nonetheless, you should talk to the people who are finding the small ones that don't quite burn up and search for news items where they've made holes in houses etc.