How quicksand is formed. Quicksand

What is quicksand? The infamous quicksand is sand with very fine grains of sand that contains large amounts of water. Heavy objects here very easily disappear from the surface, as if sucked in by sand. Unlike ordinary quicksand

Swamps and quicksand Precautionary measures: Find a long pole with which you need to feel the road in front of you. Choose higher places overgrown with bushes. Step on those hummocks where the heather grows. Move as slowly as possible

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Why are coastal quicksands dangerous?

Coastal quicksand is found on the shores of lakes, rivers, and seas, where rising springs are often found. On top of quicksand there may be a thin crust of silt formed from the fine sand fraction. From a physics point of view, the explanation for quicksand is very simple and depends on the ratio and interaction of sand and water. The grains of sand are enveloped in water, and a film forms around them. There is air between the grains of sand, but with an increase in the amount of water, the air is displaced, and a mixture of sand and water is formed, the properties of which are significantly different from the mixture of sand, water and air.

The main condition for the formation of coastal quicksand is a large source of water, which is located at a depth of several meters, and sometimes several tens of meters. Such sources provoke the shedding of sand. In most cases, they try to break out with great force, rising as close to the surface as possible and enveloping individual grains of sand with water. Thus, a loose sandy mass soaked in water is formed, which remains in equilibrium for some time. When any object hits here, the structure collapses, and physical forces try to return the displaced sand. Suction occurs. Naturally, not any source can become the basis for the formation of quicksand. Only a source that moves in an inclined horizontal direction or almost vertically becomes the culprit for the formation of a coastal “trap”.

It is sometimes impossible to determine the location of such sand. From above it looks quite reliable and there is no doubt that you can move on this surface. Grass and flowers can grow here, however, if you encounter such a sandy formation on rocky terrain, it is better to bypass it. It is simply impossible to verify whether a nearby water source caused the appearance of quicksand.

The danger of coastal sands is perhaps even higher than the danger of swamps. When you walk through a swamp, you always understand the situation and realize where you are. And coastal sand looks no different from an ordinary beach, but it can become deadly.

How to get out of coastal quicksand

People getting caught and killed in quicksand are not that uncommon. Why is it so difficult or almost impossible to get out of the whirlpool of sand? The fact is that it is very viscous, so any sudden movements cause even greater resistance, despite the fact that the density of quicksand is only one and a half times greater than the density of water. You can only get out of the elements if you move very smoothly, or even better, try to lie on your back or stomach, freeing your legs, and try to “swim” along the sand in the direction from which you came. If you cannot advance, do not make sudden movements, call for help. Get rid of unnecessary things and clothes if possible. If there is a person nearby who can help you, even if he doesn’t get too close, he will have to give you a rope, stick or other object, which you will need to cling to tightly and climb slowly but surely. Without additional support, it is almost impossible to get out on your own. When you try to pull out, for example, a leg, a vacuum is formed and a huge force arises, pulling the leg back. The force required to lift a leg can reach several hundred kilograms.

Quicksand is an ominous phenomenon present in many horror films. The inconspicuous flat surface of the sand suddenly begins to pull in the victim who has stepped on it. The more she tries to escape, the more the quicksand pulls in, eventually swallowing the person headlong. This terrible picture, of course, is more fiction than reality. However, quicksand does exist. Although their depth rarely exceeds several tens of centimeters, they can indeed pull in animals or even humans that have fallen to the surface. Moreover, which coincides with the ideas of the films, the sands really drag you in more and more, the more you try to get out of them.

The nature of quicksand is much simpler than it might seem, and there is no magic in explaining its action. This phenomenon can occur almost anywhere where there are the necessary factors for this, namely an underground source of water and sand. Quicksand is ordinary sand highly saturated with water to such an extent that the friction between the sand grains becomes negligible and the resulting substance can no longer hold objects on its surface. However, it is important to note that only very fine sand, with a dust-like structure, is suitable. Only it, mixed with water, can create a structure that absorbs matter.

There are several reasons why quicksand forms. Firstly, this is the release of groundwater in the form of springs to the surface of the Earth. If there is a sandy area in this place, then the formation of quicksand is quite possible. Another reason is an earthquake. Water from underground sources can also rise to the surface along the resulting faults. A human cause for the formation of quicksand is also possible. In the event of a water pipe break or waterlogging of the soil as a result of irrigation, water mixed with sand can also create a fluid mixture.

Even if you managed to find quicksand deep enough to get stuck in, then all the same, your situation is not hopeless. The first thing to do is to stop moving your arms and legs chaotically, trying to escape from the absorbing mass. Quicksand only absorbs an object when it moves. The best way to get out is to grab onto nearby bushes or hanging tree branches. You can also lean on a wide, strong support, such as a board. Even if none of this is nearby, it is still possible to get out. The main thing is that all movements are smooth. By gradually moving your hands, you can “swim” in quicksand. Slowly moving towards the shore, sooner or later you will reach a shallow place that will allow you to get out of the trap.

Fjord - Tornagen interesting place in Alaska. In 1988 the car of two people passing by got stuck in the sand. Adrianna Dixon got out of her car and sank her foot into the sand. Her husband tried to pull her out, but his leg was stuck as if in concrete. Having been compressed, the sand held the woman, which led to her death, as the tide began to rise. Adrianna drowned.

The cause of her death was not only water, but quicksand. It sucks in any object and does not let go, like a big trap.

The speed at which something is sucked in by quicksand depends on many factors, including the structure of the sand, its mass, the volume of the object, and can last from a couple of minutes to a month.

With this natural phenomenon Many scary stories and legends have been created. An adequate portion of the stories show the real danger when colliding with muddy sand. But in 2000, a film was released that was embellished to such an extent that a person would not even want to sunbathe on an ordinary beach.

Most of the legends appeared in Great Britain, where sea ​​coasts there were quite a lot of dangerous areas where animals and people were sucked in.

In the 19th century, most of the areas with quicksand were destroyed; now there is no danger on well-maintained beaches.

Scientists have not fully studied the nature of this formidable phenomenon. There is a theory that all this may be due to the special texture of sand grains. Russian physicist Frolov hypothesized that there is a special mechanism in which sand changes and has a liquid structure. And its “fluidity” goes a couple of meters deep, and from this the soil turns into a viscous absorbing something and absorbs any object that gets into it, pulling it down.

American geologist Clark spent many years researching this phenomenon and came to the conclusion that quicksand is a state of sand. And if it leaks under the sand underground river, then the direction of the water can naturally change and go into the depths. Then, the water flow rises and the surface of the earth becomes a dangerous threat.

It is impossible to even roughly calculate the number of victims from quicksand; it most likely exceeds tens of thousands of people. One day, deadly sand destroyed an entire area of ​​a city in Jamaica, killing more than 2,000 people because the city was densely populated. Also, there is a place where sand swallows ships. And in England, Cape South Foreland is widely known as the “ship graveyard”. The ship, whose cargo was estimated at 3 million dollars, broke in half; for five days the rescuers tried to do something, but everything was in vain. Sand should not be underestimated, since in the same place, in 1954, the entire huge lighthouse went underground.

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Quicksand is a deadly attraction. The main danger is that they are almost impossible to distinguish from ordinary sandy areas. This means that if you are traveling, for example, through the desert, where there is often the same type of landscape without rocks and vegetation, then there is a possibility that at some point you will simply start to fall “underground.”

Quicksand: what is it?

Basically, quicksand is formed in places where underground springs appear or when groundwater approaches the soil. In addition, the condition for their appearance is the presence of sand without clay impurities with a grain diameter of up to 3 mm.

The smallest particles of moisture, mixing with such sand, do not allow air to pass through, and friction between grains of sand disappears. As a result, grains of sand turn into a semi-liquid mass, a swamp, which in appearance is almost impossible to distinguish from an ordinary desert or beach. This is a viscous mass with enormous counteracting force.

How to spot quicksand

It is difficult to visually detect classic quicksand - they can lie in wait for a traveler anywhere along the entire path. There is a journey that takes more than one day, and gradually attentiveness becomes dull, which leads to serious consequences.

Since quicksand is a viscous quagmire, it looks like a flat surface with small motionless ripples. That is, any flat area could potentially turn out to be an impassable swamp. It should be noted that the sand on the surface of the bog can dry out and sometimes even grass grows on it.

Most often, quicksand can be found along the banks of reservoirs and in the lowlands of hills - where underground sources are likely to reach the surface. To be on the safe side, you need to move slowly, be able to quickly get rid of your backpack and other cargo, and also test the road in front of you with a pole or stick.

In a normal, dry state, when poured from vessel to vessel (take an hourglass as an example), sand allows air to pass through. But if there is moisture between the grains of sand, air does not pass, and the sand does not spill out, blocking the passage. This property is the basis for the appearance of a bog.

This type of sand is characterized by enormous counterforce. If a person’s leg falls into quicksand, to free it it is necessary to expend the effort of a heavyweight weightlifter, and only on condition that his other leg has a reliable fulcrum and is on a hard surface.

In addition, the impact of a bog can be compared to a seat belt - the faster a person caught in a trap moves, the more firmly the swamp binds him. This occurs due to the instant “hardening” of quicksand due to the appearance of rarefied air under the released foot. The presence of a discharged space leads to the opposite effect - pulling the leg even deeper (“collapse”).

Quicksand against man

At its core, quicksand can be classified as a type of non-Newtonian fluid with a high content of small solids (sand grains). That is why a person, when he finds himself in such a place, begins to fall into it like into water. If at the same time he does not make sudden movements, then the dive will stop when the mass of displaced sand becomes equal to the mass of the person.

What to do if you find yourself in quicksand

There are certain rules of conduct when falling into quicksand. Following these rules will allow you to get out of the situation alive.

1. Don't panic! If you start twitching or making other sudden movements, you will go towards the core of the planet.
2. Fall backward, flat, preferably on your back - in general, take a horizontal position with your whole body.
3. Try to immediately discard everything unnecessary - backpack, tent, etc. Life is more important.

If you start making sudden movements, holes will appear that will continue suction. After the excitement calms down, move slowly, preferably back in the direction from which you came, since it is unknown how far ahead the dangerous sands extend.

Relax your body, imagine that you are lying on your back in the water and relaxing. When moving, the sand should flow gently under the body and on the sides. This process is labor-intensive, but effective. If your lower body does sink vertically into the sand, place your torso on the surface and slowly but forcefully release your legs.

Interesting and tragic facts about quicksand

Morecambe Bay, England. Known since the 15th century, when it was forbidden to go onto the sand during high tide. Every year it claimed the lives of up to 150 people. People caught in quicksand died during a 9-meter high tide that covered them headlong.

Goodwin Shoals, South Foreland, England. They consume ships, the remains of which rise above the sands. The place is known as the "Ship Graveyard". One day, the Goodwin shoals swallowed up the lighthouse tower.

Tarnagen Fjord, Alaska. The coast is about 80 km long and consists of quicksand.

Sable Island, Atlantic. Quicksand swallows entire ships after shipwrecks.

Jamaica, Port Royal. Completely drowned in quicksand in 1692. 2,000 townspeople died. After the earthquake, the soil hardened, so it was initially believed that the city was swallowed up by the “abyss of the sea.”

An example of American paratroopers falling into quicksand