home Pike How scary are quicksands? How are they formed? Quicksand

How scary are quicksands? How are they formed? Quicksand

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. First of all, this is the way out groundwater in the form of springs on 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. Most 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.

Without a doubt, quicksand is one of the most dangerous places on Earth. Usually the sun dries out the top layer of sand, resulting in a thin, hard crust on which grass can even grow. But the illusion of reliability will instantly evaporate, as soon as you step on it, the ground will literally float from under your feet. The poor souls who step on this sand, which seems like solid ground, are instantly sucked in. The legs become squeezed by a hardened mass, and it is impossible to pull them out without outside help.

Quicksand itself cannot kill a person. Firstly, it will not be able to completely absorb a person, since it is a non-Newtonian liquid. However, if a person is not saved in time, he may die from a number of other reasons. For example, from dehydration, solar radiation, various living creatures, or dying under the tide.

Many theories have been proposed about the quicksand phenomenon. Most of them, of course, turned out to be wrong. However, over time the situation began to become clearer. It turned out that the properties of wet sand depend significantly on the amount of water it contains. Moistened grains of sand easily stick together, demonstrating a sharp increase adhesion forces, which in dry sand are caused only by surface unevenness and are therefore very small. The forces of surface tension of the films of water surrounding each grain of sand cause them to stick together. In order for sand grains to stick together well, water must cover the particles and their groups with a thin film, while most of the space between them must remain filled with air. If the amount of water in the sand is increased, then as soon as the entire space between the sand grains is filled with water, the surface tension forces disappear and the result is a mixture of sand and water that has completely different properties. Thus, Quicksand is the most ordinary sand, under the thickness of which at a depth of several meters there is a fairly strong source of water.

Why does a person fall into quicksand? It's all about the special structure of the grains of sand. The flow of water coming from below whips up a loose cushion of grains of sand, which is in relative equilibrium for some time. The weight of a traveler who wanders into such a place collapses the structure. The grains of sand, being redistributed, move along with the body of the victim, additionally as if sucking the poor fellow into the soil layer. After this, the structure of the sand around the unfortunate person becomes completely different - tightly pressed wet grains of sand form a trap due to the force of the surface tension of the water layer. When you try to pull your leg out, a vacuum of air is formed, pulling the leg back with enormous force. To pull your leg out in such a situation at a speed of 0.1 m/s, you need to apply a force equal to the force of lifting a medium-sized passenger car. So, if you get into quicksand, it is better not to make sudden movements, but try to lie on your back and, with your arms outstretched, wait for help.

You were walking in the desert, lost your mind and suddenly found yourself in quicksand, quickly sinking to the bottom. Certain death in the mud? Not really. Quicksand is not nearly as dangerous as it looks in the movies, although it is very real. Any sand or silt can temporarily become quick-moving if it is sufficiently saturated with water and/or subject to vibrations such as during an earthquake. Here's what to do if you're going under.

Steps

Part 1

Freeing your legs

Reset everything. If you step while wearing a backpack or carrying something heavy, immediately remove the backpack or drop everything you are carrying. Because your body is less dense than quicksand, you won't drown completely unless you panic and try too hard to get out, or you're overloaded with something heavy.

If you can get out of your shoes, do it. Shoes, especially those with flat, rigid soles (such as many styles of boots), create a vacuum when you try to pull them out of quicksand. If you know in advance that you are likely to get caught in quicksand, take off your boots and walk either barefoot or in shoes that can be easily removed.

Move in a horizontal direction. If you feel stuck, take a couple of quick steps back before the quicksand immobilizes you. It usually takes a few minutes for the mixture to become pourable, so the best way to get out is to not get stuck in the sand at all.
- If your feet are still stuck, do not take large or sudden steps in an attempt to free yourself. If you take a large step forward, you may be able to free one foot, but your other foot will sink even deeper, making complete release extremely difficult.
Lie on your back. If your legs sink very quickly, sit down and lean back. Increasing the contact area should help you free up your legs by eliminating the pressure they create and keeping them afloat. When you feel your legs begin to free themselves, roll away from the sands to the side and free yourself from their grip. You will find yourself up to your neck in mud, but this is the fastest and safest way to get out.

Take your time. If you are stuck in quicksand, panicking will only harm your attempts to get out. Whatever you do, do it slowly. Slow movements prevent the quicksand from being stirred up: vibrations caused by fast movements can turn relatively hard ground into an additional mass of quicksand.
- More importantly, quicksand can react to your movements in completely unpredictable ways. If you move slowly, it will be easier for you to stop the unfavorable process and prevent further sinking. You will need to be patient. Depending on how much quicksand is around you, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to slowly and methodically free yourself from it.
Part 2
Getting out of deep quicksand
1. Relax. Quicksand is never deeper than a meter, but if you find a particularly deep section, you can quickly sink into waist- or chest-deep sand. If you panic, you may sink even deeper, but if you relax, your body's buoyancy will prevent you from drowning.
  - Breathe deeply. Not only will deep breathing help you stay calm, it will also increase your buoyancy. Fill your lungs with as much air as possible. It is impossible to "go to the bottom" if your lungs are full of air.
2. Lie on your back and float. If you are sunk up to your hips or higher, lean back. The more you distribute your weight over the surface, the more difficult it will be for you to sink. Float on your back, slowly and carefully releasing your legs. Once you have them free, you can begin to move carefully towards a safe area, slowly and smoothly moving backwards using arm strokes, as if you were swimming. When you reach the edge of the quicksand, you can roll onto solid ground.
  
  Use a cane. When in an area with quicksand, walk with a cane. When you feel your ankles begin to sink, place the pole on the surface of the quicksand horizontally behind you. Lie on your back on the pole. In a couple of minutes you will achieve balance on the quicksand and stop drowning. Push the pole towards the new position; move it under your hips. The pole will prevent your hips from sinking in, so you can slowly release one leg first and then the other.
  - Remain on your back with your hands and feet touching the quicksand and use a probing pole. Slowly move along both sides of the pole until you reach solid ground.
3. Take frequent breaks. Getting out of quicksand, you may be tired from work.

Quicksand

Quicksand, found in different parts of the world, has always caused fear among people. It is generally accepted that this sand, which looks no different from the usual sand nearby, is fraught with a mortal danger for anyone who stands on it. There are many stories about how these sands sucked in their victims until not a trace remained of them. However, in reality, quicksand does not have such power. If you have an idea of what it is and how to behave correctly, then quicksand will not cause any harm.

Usually quicksand, or quicksand, appears near the mouth big rivers and on gentle banks. These sands are formed due to the fact that underneath there is a dense layer of clay that does not allow moisture to penetrate into the earth. This leads to the accumulation of rain and river water in the sand. The accumulating water liquefies the round grains of quicksand, and they seem to float in it. That is why they are not able to hold heavy objects on the surface.

Contrary to popular belief, people who fall on quicksand do not drown in it. Since quicksand contains a lot of moisture, you can swim in it like in water. It is also important that quicksand is denser than water, and therefore it is easier to float on the surface.

If you ever find yourself in quicksand, remember to move fairly slowly. This allows the sand to flow around your body, just as it does when you swim in water. In this case, you do not have to fear for your life.

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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 route. 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 under the condition that his other leg has a reliable support point 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, getting into 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