Quicksand

The word quicksand brings to mind solitary pools of watery muck waiting to entrap and suck down innocent victims who stumble upon it. Quicksand, a staple of action-adventure movies, is, in fact, a fairly common natural phenomenon that has rarely killed anyone. Kris Hirschmann examines the spooky world of quicksand in this 'Wonders of the World' volume from Kidhaven Press. Intended for readers 9-12, QUICKSAND provides solid information on quicksand and, in doing so, dispels some of the myths that have grown up over the years. She defines what quicksand is, what happens when a person is caught in quicksand, memorable quicksand escapes and the larger issue of what happens when areas of ground liquefies due to earthquakes. Hirschmann, for instance, notes that quicksand doesn't just occur in steamy jungles but can be found in many locations. Despite what movies portray, quicksand will not suck a victim down to their death; at most, they'll sink to their chest. And once in quicksand, a person is not doomed but can escape using a variety of methods. Liquefaction is another matter though. When earthquakes occur, they can turn normally firm ground into liquid as happened with the 1910 San Francisco earthquake. Immense damage and fatalities can occur as a result. QUICKSAND includes a number of informative b & w and color photographs that help educate young readers about this fascinating yet misunderstood phenomenon. Naturally, there are a number of movie stills showing frantic victims struggling in "boggy pits of death." While the 'Wonders of the World' titles are pitched for younger readers, they are excellent, basic guides to various topics such as geysers, gems, icebergs and...quicksand. They're interesting, informative, fun reads. Recommended.