Is Quicksand Real? Understand How Quicksand Actually Functions

How many times have you seen a movie where the protagonist is pulled into a pit of quicksand, only to be rescued at the last second by grabbing a nearby branch or a helping hand?

Quicksand isn't the terrifying natural hazard often depicted in films. In reality, it’s usually no deeper than a few feet. It's essentially waterlogged sand, where the friction between the grains is so low that it can no longer support any weight. The result is a soggy mix of fine sand and water.

If you step into wet quicksand, it won't drag you under. However, your movements will only cause you to sink deeper into it. In this article, you'll discover how quicksand forms, where it can be found, and how to escape if you ever find yourself stuck waist-deep.

What Is Quicksand?

Quicksand is essentially solid ground that turns into a liquid-like state due to excessive water saturation. The term "quick" comes from how easily the sand shifts in this semi-fluid state.

Quicksand isn't a special kind of soil; it's typically just sand or another grainy type of soil. It's simply a sludgy mix of sand and water. Quicksand can form anywhere, given the right conditions, as noted by Denise Dumouchelle, a geologist at the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Formation of Quicksand

Quicksand forms when water permeates loose sand, causing a disruption in the sand's regular structure. When the water becomes trapped within this loosely packed sand and can't escape, it turns the soil into a liquefied state that can no longer bear weight.

There are two primary conditions under which sand can become disturbed enough to form quicksand:

Vibration plays a significant role in accelerating the formation of quicksand. Even a solid surface can become soft and then transition to quicksand. As Dr. Larry Barron of the New South Wales Geological Survey explains, the combination of vibration and water reduces friction between sand particles, causing the sand to behave like a liquid.

To comprehend quicksand, it is essential to grasp the concept of liquefaction. Liquefaction occurs when soil, such as in quicksand, loses its structural integrity and behaves more like a thick liquid than a solid, as noted by the Utah Geological Survey. This process can lead to significant sinking of buildings during earthquakes.

Where Can Quicksand Be Found?

Although quicksand can form in nearly any area with water, there are specific places where its occurrence is more common. Locations with a higher likelihood of quicksand include:

Next time you're at the beach, pay attention to how the sand feels underfoot in different areas with varying moisture levels. If you step on the driest part, the sand will support you just fine. The friction between the grains creates a solid surface for standing.

As you get closer to the water, you’ll notice that the sand, which is moderately damp, becomes more tightly packed than the dry sand. A small amount of water creates a capillary force that causes the sand grains to bond together. This is why sand can be molded into castles.

However, beach sand can easily transform into quicksand if a sufficient amount of saltwater is pushed through it. When too much water flows through the tightly packed wet sand, it forces the grains of sand apart.

The separation of the grains results in the ground loosening, causing any weight on the saturated loose sand to sink into it.

How to Escape Quicksand

The more you struggle in quicksand, the quicker you will sink. But if you relax, your body will float because it is less dense than the quicksand.

If you ever find yourself stuck in quicksand, don't panic — it's not as dangerous as it appears, and it's easier to escape than films like 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' suggest.

The average human body has a density of 62.4 pounds per cubic foot (1 g/cm), which allows it to float in water. Quicksand is denser, with a density of about 125 pounds per cubic foot (2 g/cm), meaning you can float on quicksand more easily than on water.

The secret to escaping is staying calm. Many people who drown in quicksand, or any liquid, do so because they panic and flail their arms and legs.

Can You Drown in Quicksand?

While it's rare, it is possible to drown in quicksand if you fall in over your head and can't lift your head above the surface. However, it's unlikely for quicksand to be that deep — you'll likely float to the top if you fall in.

The sand-to-water ratio in quicksand can differ, which is why some quicksand might offer less buoyancy than others.

Rick Wooten, a senior geologist at Engineering Geology and Geohazards for the North Carolina Geological Survey, explained, "If the quicksand were deep—say, up to your waist—it would be challenging to free yourself from such a thick, dense mixture, much like being trapped in wet concrete. The added weight of the quicksand would make it extremely hard to move if the sand reached above your knees."

Steps to Free Yourself

Avoid flailing your limbs through the sand, as this will only push you deeper into the quicksand. The best method is to make slow movements, lifting yourself up gradually, and then lie back. This will help you float to a safer level.

Dumouchelle shared, "When a person steps into quicksand, their weight causes them to sink, similar to stepping into a pond. If they panic and struggle, they will sink further. However, if they remain calm, relax, and lie back, they will usually float and can paddle themselves to safety."

When attempting to free one foot from quicksand, you're contending with the vacuum effect caused by your movement, as stated in "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook." The authors suggest that you should move as slowly as possible to decrease viscosity. Additionally, by spreading your arms and legs wide and leaning over, you can increase your surface area, which will help you float.

Although quicksand is often depicted in clichéd adventure films, there's actually very little to fear in reality. If you remain calm, the worst outcome is likely to be a shoe filled with wet sand.