quicksand; shifting sand; drifting sand
Meanings
3 senses · 6 examplesnoun
shifting sand; drifting sand (in desert regions)
Refers to loose sand in deserts that moves with wind currents, often forming shifting dunes. Often translated as 'quicksand' in English, though it primarily emphasizes the shifting nature rather than the dangerous suction of true quicksand.
Shifting sands in the desert can bury roads and villages.
The wind blew up the shifting sand on the ground, forming sand dunes.
noun
loose sand accumulated at river bottoms or estuaries
technicalDescribes unstable sediment deposits in aquatic environments that can shift with currents, posing hazards to navigation and construction.
The loose sand at the river bottom makes navigation extremely difficult for vessels.
Large amounts of loose sand have deposited at the estuary and require regular dredging.
noun
sand in geological strata that moves with groundwater
technicalTechnical geological term referring to saturated sand layers that can flow like a liquid when agitated or under pressure, commonly known as 'quicksand' in engineering contexts.
Sand layers in the geological strata can affect the stability of construction projects.
Groundwater drove the movement of the subsurface sand, creating voids.