Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1909-11-29
oUlcKSAMD.
How u 10 Formed and It's orswsems
Characteristics.

Characteristics.
To most persons the word s'uuick-
sand" gives a sensation OF horror SIM
liar to that produced by the thought
OF a snake. and many sensational ac-
counts have given 10 quicksnnd al
most human attributes. No ordinary
observer would be able 10 distinguish
dry quicksand from any other sand.
and the average person would be un.
able TO restore II 10 Its quick prop
critics even II he tried. II water IL
mixed with the quicksand the mass
does not become mobile. and IL the
water Is drained on the sand will DO
found nrmly packed.
Quicksand IL comparatively very
light. weighing about ninety-four
pounds 90 the cubic foot. while other
forms Of sand run as high as III
pounds. Quicksand when examined
under the microscope will be found TO
have rounded corners. like river sand.
rs distinguished from sharp sand.
II Il quicksand that Is used in hour
glasses aud egg glasses. partly because
Of its fincncss and partly beca use II
does not eventually cloud the glass by
scratching. as would the sharp sand
IL l. 60 i;s lightncss that quh ksand
owes its deadly qualities. aud dem.
cnstration Of how II becomes quick"
may be given by placing a quantity
n bucket and adding water by pres
sure through hole In the bottom. al
lowing the water 10 overflow very
slowly when II has worked up through
the sand. The upward current will be
found 10 loosen the sand aud 10 raise
the surface very slightly. separating
and lubricaiing the particles 50 that
they are easily displaced.
The bucket now contains genuine
quicksaud. The sand. owing 10 the
support II receives from the water.
has its weight. or supporting power.
reduced proportionately. weighing In
the water hut thirty.two and half
pounds as against ninety-four pounds
when dry. Bulk for bulk. the mixture
Is nearly twice the weight Of man.
hut Is too mobile 10 give support aud
too thick 90 swim In. In its natural
state. presenting an apparently firm
surface. resembling simply damp sand.
Il l. the most deadly man trap con
ceivable.
Qulcksand requires In all cases nm
upward current which Is not quick or
strong enough 10 break through IN
the form Of spring Ordinarily wa
ter flowing over qulcksand will not
make II dangerous. II may be formed
In tidal rivers and on the shores ~
tidal seas by the rising tide saturatine
n porous stratum OF ground below high
water mark. and when the tide falls a
return current Is established through
the porous SANDY ground with sniii-
cicnt velocity 10 loosen the sand and
make II quick"
A permanent quicksand Is found
where a slow current of fresh water
finds It's way 10 the surface OF the
sand bed either In the bottom Of n
stream or elsewhere. Quicksands that |
ire encountered during the sinking OF
walls and foundations are due To the |
influx OF water when the work gets
below '-spring level" or the level Of |
he water In the ground NJ that par
ocular spot. The sand. being deprived
" the lateral support OF the water In
he excavation. Is pushed Ia from he
lind by the water currents flowing
rom all sides.
One Of the most peculiar and grew
'omc characteristics OF quicksand y
hat II will soon engulf any object
asst upon irs surface. no matter how
light that object may be. even per
ectly dry stick.-Iiarper's Weekly.