Fact 1: Quicksand is a water-and-sand mixture which demonstrates the thixotropic behavior. ‘œThixotropic’ means ‘œgradual reduction in the viscosity of the pseudoplastic fluid depending on the time.’

Fact 2: When the shear stress (that can cause deformity without change in volume) increases, the viscosity of pseudoplastic fluid or non-Newtonian fluid also decreases. The viscosity indicates the resistance in the liquid that restricts its flow.

Fact 3: Newtonian fluid does not change its viscosity in response to stress while non-Newtonian fluid will change its viscosity under stress.

Fact 4: Thixotropic fluids will reduce their viscosity depending on the amount of shear stress and the duration of the stress applied.

Fact 5: The thixotropic behavior of quicksand: When a few vehicles pass on the quicksand one after another, the first one will pass across the sand without any problem. As the pressure is exerted on the quicksand due to the vehicle’s movement, the viscosity is reduced and it sinks the vehicle though its weight was less than the previous vehicle that had passed.

Fact 6: Real quicksand has a high specific gravity which a person cannot sink and disappear into the quicksand. Rarely, it might happen when the person has a metal-framed backpack.

Fact 7: Most of the deaths in quicksand occur when the person gets trapped and is unable to escape. The person dies due to starvation and cold. The killer quicksand shown in movies is unrealistic.

Fact 8: The ordinary mud which is deeper is also considered to be quicksand though it does not exhibit the thixotropic behavior and is not the mixture of water and sand.

Fact 9: The large bogs that have a huge amount of vegetable matter might function as quicksand or may be more dangerous than the real quicksand.

Fact 10: Though it is not pleasant to crawl out from quicksand by humans, it is not impossible for  humans to come out of it as they are less dense than the quicksand.