Can Quicksand Really Hurt You?

 

Everyone has seem quicksand in movies, and you always cringe when the hero of the story or his love interest falls into quicksand and is rapidly sinking, but is this scenario realistic? Does quicksand suck you in until you are completely covered? These are some of the questions I have been having lately after watching one of my favorite action flicks so I have done some research and I am going to share what have found out with you.

So what exactly is quicksand composed of? It is actually a "light, loose sand that is mixed up with water," or it can be " any type of "loose soil, a mixture of sand and mud, or a kind of pebbly mud" (Leokum, 1986, p.19). Quicksand is interesting because although it is different from regular sand or dirt; it looks just like it. The difference between quicksand and regular sand is the grains. The grains of regular sand are "sharp and angular," but the grains of quicksand are "round and smooth," and this allows "water to get between the grains" (Leokum, 1986, p.19). The water flows around the grains and allows them to move and shift. This is why quicksand is something you sink in; it is constantly moving like water, and that makes it unable to support heavy objects.

Quicksand is usually found near water. It occurs naturally near " the mouths of large rivers and on flat shores were there is a layer of stiff clay underneath the sand", and this "clay keeps the water from draining away" from the sand (Leokum, 1986, p.19). Water is the key factor that makes quicksand what it is, but can quicksand hurt you?

No, quicksand can not hurt you as long as you know what to do when you step into quicksand. Since quicksand is mostly comprised of water you will float in quicksand. In fact since quicksand is "heavier than water, people can float higher in quicksand than they do in water" (Leokum, 1986, p.19). The important thing to remember when you approach quicksand is to move slowly. If you move slowly like you would in a pool the quicksand will act just like water, and you will be able to move freely.

Quicksand is life threatening in movies, and in real life it may be a little nerve wrecking, but it is something that you should not be afraid of.

Reference:
Leokum, A. (1986). The Big book of tell me why. New York, NY: Grosset and Dunlap.