Quicksand: what is this natural phenomenon? Quicksand. Description. Deadly dangerous. Cases of Quicksand: what is it?

Is life in motion?

Many people have heard more than once that in life you should never stop. As they say, life is in motion. But is it always like this? There is one of the few examples showing that just a state of maximum peace can save a person’s life. These are cases of getting into a quagmire or quicksand. You should understand in more detail what they are, why they arise and how to get out of them.

If not in life, then in movies, you have at least once seen how something or someone (person or animal) fell into these natural traps. This is actually a very insidious natural phenomenon. A quagmire is a swamp that can gradually suck in objects and living creatures that fall into it. Why do some swamps simply smear them with mud, while others literally “eat” their victims? The point is in such a concept as thixotropy. This phenomenon means the property of substances or their mixtures to become more liquid in motion (when exposed to external influence) and to thicken at rest. Some types of clays and minerals have such insidious abilities. If they are present in a given swamp, then once they get into it, it will be difficult to get out without outside help. A bog is a swamp, often covered with a thick layer of algae, and it can even resemble a lawn.

There is a phenomenon in nature that is even more dangerous than a quagmire. We are more often accustomed to hearing such concepts as quarry sand, river sand, and construction sand. However, there is another one. It's quicksand. It is almost impossible to get out of it. The main reason for the transformation of ordinary sand into quicksand is its excessive saturation with liquid (water) and air. That is why they can “swallow” what gets into them. When a denser body acts on quicksand (this is another name for quicksand), the spaces filled with liquid and air begin to decrease. This creates free space for the trapped victim, which, under its weight, goes deeper and deeper. Such “beaches” tend to dry out on top, creating the appearance of being quite ordinary. Be careful in areas close to large bodies of water with open sandy areas. There may be undercurrents there. Another cause of quicksand traps is earthquakes. After them, small cracks usually appear in the upper layers of the earth's crust, which do not fill when there is no mechanical impact on the surface. When it appears, sand and often what presses on it goes into space.

What to do?

If it so happens that you find yourself captive in a quagmire or quicksand, then you have no choice but to save your life. As stated earlier, you need to move minimally. If you find yourself in a quagmire, then you need to stop all sorts of jerky floundering. You should try to lie on your back and try to get out with very slow, smooth movements and, if possible, call for help. If you happen to be trapped and find yourself in quicksand, then it is better not to move here at all. You should calmly wait for help, since in this case you have a much greater chance of salvation. At the slightest movement (even with a heartbeat!) the insidious grains of sand are activated. It must be said that often the suction substances do not exceed a few meters in depth (and sometimes even less than one). However, in the case of sand, this is unlikely to save. The immersed part of the object (body) is clamped inside as if in a vice, and it is very difficult to release it on your own. So it’s better not to get into such “scrapes” at all and always follow the prohibitory signs on the shore.

“Do you know what quicksand is? They can suck you in, and it’s impossible to get out of them!”- we scared each other as children. For many, stories about quicksand have remained a childhood horror story. For a long time I myself believed that this was an invention of writers who wrote adventure novels. But this natural phenomenon actually exists. And today we will reveal everything to you "terrible secrets" of quicksand.

The nature of quicksand

Yes, quicksand exists. How are they formed? For sand to turn into a quicksand, it must be wet and, at the same time, supersaturated with air or other gas. This happens if there is enough sand underneath the sand layer. powerful rising water source. The stream whips up the loose sand cushion like a mixer, moistening the sand and saturating it with air. As a result, the grains of sand stick together very strongly. This occurs due to the surface tension of water and the large amount of air space between them. To make it easier to understand, let’s give an example: if you remove air from quicksand, then it will be simple. If you remove water - . It is the presence of water and air in the sand that simultaneously makes it shifting.

The process of formation of quicksand in the coastal zone

Under the influence of gravity (i.e. when someone or something steps on quicksand) grains of sand begin to move faster, thereby “suck” the victim down. Simply put, you don't just fail, but the sand also helps you through it. At the same time, wet grains of sand tightly grip your feet due to the same force of surface tension of water. When you try to free yourself, a rarefaction of air occurs, which forcefully pulls the trapped person back.

To get out of a quicksand trap, you need to exert an effort comparable to lifting a car. In this case, you will have to pull yourself by the hair, like Baron Munchausen. The prospect is depressing... However It is still possible to get out of the sand on your own. But how?

Death trap or test of endurance?

In fact It is impossible to drown in quicksand: its density is too high. Most often, people die in the sand from dehydration and sun exposure. (in deserts) or drown in sea waters during high tide because they do not have time to get out (tidal zone).

To get out of a quicksand trap you need to stop resisting it. (Note: This reminded me of a well-known psychological technique. Don’t like the situation? Stop resisting, and it will go away on its own.) Quicksand is, at its core, a Newtonian fluid. Any attempt at resistance is met with strong opposition. But if you completely relax, you can win over the sand. Very slowly and smoothly you need to try to lie on your back or stomach. Then just as slowly move to the edge of the quicksand swamp and gradually crawl out of it to freedom.

Where are quicksand found?

Most often this natural phenomenon occurs in the intertidal zone and in hilly deserts. In the first case, the sea waves “church”. During low tide, the top crust can dry out within a day and create the illusion of a wonderful sandy beach, which in fact turns out to be deadly. Such beaches are found in England (Goodwin Shoals), in Alaska (Tarnagen fjord), in Jamaica. Not only people, but also cars and ships become victims of such places.

Even technology can fall victim to quicksand...

In deserts, water flows can pass under layers of sand, inside limestone deposits. Some of them rush upward like underground fountains. And in the same way they “beat” sand, turning it into quicksand. Such areas are even more difficult to recognize: outwardly they may remain dry under the scorching desert sun and even become overgrown with grass. But as soon as you step on it, you are trapped. The Sahara Desert is most famous for such “surprises”, because... a large underground river flows underneath it.

Quicksand of the Sahara Desert

Quicksand can even occur along the banks of rivers and lakes. But most often their depth and scale are not so great, and they do not pose a danger.

Quicksand in the intertidal zone

Be careful! Quicksand!

Most people associate the phenomenon of quicksand with scary images of a person being pulled deep into the abyss.

Many see mysticism in this and attribute the influence of cosmic or otherworldly forces. But how does everything really happen and are quicksand really that dangerous? How are they formed and how to avoid becoming a victim of this natural phenomenon?

Physical explanation and types of quicksand

The depth of quicksand can reach several meters, or it can be only a few centimeters. 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.

There are two types of these sands:

1. With a wet surface. They are found on the shores of lakes, rivers, and seas, where rising springs are often encountered. On top there may be a thin crust of silt formed from the fine sand fraction.

2. With a dry surface. Found in deserts and rocky areas.

Reason: water source
A prerequisite for the formation of quicksand is a large source of water, which is located at a depth of several meters, and sometimes several tens of meters.

These 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. The question arises: can any source of water cause quicksand? Such a source can be one that moves in an inclined horizontal direction or almost vertically.

It is sometimes impossible to determine the location of such sand. From above it looks quite reliable and there is no doubt whether it is possible to move on such a 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.

Is it possible to get out?

Statistics show that tragic incidents involving falling into quicksand are very common. 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, freeing your legs, and thus seem to float on the sand. In this case, you can maintain balance for a certain time and wait for the rescuers to arrive.

In response to the sharpness, the sand mass seems to harden. Independent attempts to pull out, for example, a leg create a vacuum of air. A huge force arises, pulling the leg back. The effort required to lift your leg can be compared to the weight of a car.

In dry sand, everything is different: a person buried even up to his neck can gradually get out of it on his own, because when moving slowly, air first enters the free space, and then grains of sand fill the niche. There is no such air in quicksand, and the suspension is comparable in consistency to jelly, and the slowly moving mass does not have time to fill the emerging cavity, forming a vacuum.

Other causes

Quicksand most often occurs not in deserts, as many people think, but in rocky areas and in areas of frequent tides. Morecambe Bay, in particular the town of Arnside, located in England, is considered a known area with dangerous tides. At low tide, the bottom quickly dries out and becomes a trap.

The tide rises tens of meters and covers everything that is in the area of ​​quicksand.

Another reason for the appearance of quicksand can be static charges arising due to the mutual friction of grains of sand. Since they are all charged at the same time, the adhesion weakens and the surface becomes unstable. There are quicksands in Canada, the Caribbean islands, and England. There is a place in Alaska where the territory with treacherous sands stretches for 80 km, and not far from here there is a special rescue service in case someone falls into nature's trap.

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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 a 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 through, 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 quagmire can be compared to a seat belt - the faster the trapped person moves, the more firmly the mire 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 (grains of sand). 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 along 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

> wilderness survival > coastal quicksand

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.