• Question: Why do people sink in quicksand and how is it created and is it possible to distroy?

    Asked by dynamitefire to Carol on 1 Jul 2012.
    • Photo: Carol White

      Carol White answered on 1 Jul 2012:

      Don’t you think it’s weird that we call it “quick” sand when you would actually sink really slowly?!

      Quicksand is just normal sand that has so much water mixed in, that the friction between all the sand particles is really low. so you end up with a mush of sand and water that can’t hold your weight. Usually quicksand is about a metre deep so you wouldn’t drown in it, but sometimes it can be deeper!

      Standing on quicksand, doesn’t make you drown but moving around lots will help you fall deeper… so remember not to move if you end up in some!

      As for destroying it… I guess you’d have to get rid of the water, or the source of water! People usually think quicksand is found in the desert but that’s a myth, as you need lots of water!

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