quicksand

Surely you have seen in numerous films the protagonists sinking into quicksand. Whenever you talk about quicksand you think of an area where the sand can sink and you are unable to escape from it. In the end you end up drowning. Since there are some scenes that are too dramatic, there are many people who wonder if quicksand exists in reality and if they have that danger that they signal.

Therefore, we are going to dedicate this article to explain what quicksand is and what its characteristics and possible dangers are.

What are quicksand

In some specific places and in terrains more adapted to them on this planet, we can find quicksand. It has a danger that depends on the area where we are and its characteristics. Quicksand is known in physics as a colloid fluid. A colloid fluid is a substance that is capable of functioning both as a liquid and as a solid. They can have characteristics of both at the same time.

One could say what a fluid is that is made up of both liquid and solid particles that act in both ways and that can have certain risks. It is a terrain that, although at first glance they seem solid and stable, it can have a high enough viscosity to trap a person. Any object that weighs more than it can overcome as resistance will be trapped in it.

The fundamental aspect of quicksand is that of a terrain that can be both sandy, swampy, mud, water with soil or sand on the surface with the naked eye. It can be covered by leaves or look like a simple puddle. All this will depend on the characteristics of this specific quicksand. The problem with these soils where quicksand is usually located, this is made up of water and a very fine solid material that acts like a jelly. These materials remain stable as long as no specific force is exerted on them.

For example, we can see that leaves and other light bodies do not alter the state of quicksand. This means that they are capable of supporting some objects or animals that weigh less. On the other hand, something of great size such as an animal or a person cannot walk on these grounds as it would begin to sink into them. This happens because the large person or animal has a higher density than the materials that quicksand is made of.

How to get out of the quicksand

One of the great risks is getting trapped without any opportunity to get out. These what the movies and cartoons are given. These terrains imply that in order to get out, it is necessary to exert an excessive force not to move or escape from this movement that traps you. The body's own weight is what makes it pull down. This poses a great danger because the sand can end up completely absorbing people, animals or large objects such as vehicles leading to death. Death takes place by drowning.

Therefore, quicksand are considered very dangerous terrain and should always be avoided. So many of you were walking eating a vehicle, it is better to avoid this type of terrain. If you have fallen on a ground with quicksand, the most important thing you should do is not make sudden movements. This would lead to an even faster sinking due to exerting greater pressure on the fluid. It is advisable to remain as still as possible to slow down and sink or lie on your back if you want to further reduce this absorption process.

To be able to go out it must be done in a similar way to swimming. With the greatest possible impulse you should jump back with your arms extended. The goal is for you to stay lying on your back as much as possible so that the absorption speed is lower. This position helps reduce the pressure that our body exerts on the fluid and distribute the weight over the entire surface of the back. This allows you to get out of these fields more easily. From this position, a movement similar to when we are swimming on our back should be performed.

However, this should be done only in those areas where we cannot have outside help. If we are alone or do not have some person or animal that can help us out, we will do this. It is best to use a rope a rope to secure the animal in the quicksand and pull it out.

Where they are

There are many doubts about where the quicksand scattered in this world are. One of the most common questions is whether they exist in deserts. One of the aspects to take into account when we find a quicksand is that it needs an area with plenty of water. For this, swampy areas near rivers and beaches are needed. It is not possible that there are quicksand in the desert. There is not enough water there for this fluid material with these unique characteristics to be created.

One of the places where we can find more of this material is in the mouths of the rivers. In some lakes can also be found as in streams. This is because there is a large amount of sediment that is composed of very fine sand and is filled with water. It is normal that these materials together can constitute quicksand terrains capable of catching bathers with great ease.

Another of the places that should not be avoided in order not to fall into these lands are the quagmire and mud of the swamps or reservoirs. These soils can act in a similar way as they are made up of clayey sand and accompanied by a large amount of water. Finally, the most important thing if you have fallen into one of these areas is to be patient and not panic. This will make you have more jerky movements.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about quicksand.