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Does the sediment/earth really become liquid-like during an earthquake or does it just seem like it?

Kristin Bell asked in Earthquake! about 1 year ago | Report
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  • Qlandav2ex_small
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    Fill sandy soil does has not packed efficiently when deposited unlike that which has been laid down over geologic time and via transport by water so the vibrations of the earth movement cause it to move and flow like liquid. You can see a similar effect when playing with cornstarch and water slurry. Left to sit you can push down hard and it will support your hand, shake it and it will move and pour like a liquid.

    A similar effect is what happens to the flowing soil/sand/rock debris in a lahar where the material acts like a viscous liquid in movement and then turns to a solid when the flowing motion stops.

    Russ Campbell, NWEBS answered in Earthquake! about 1 year ago | Report
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  • Goonies_small
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    My understanding is that it behaves like a liquid. See this handy wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_liquefaction

    Most freaky is that it can happen to soil layers below the top layer, allowing them to "boil up."

    This phenomenon is what terrorizes me about the SODO area of Seattle. During an earthquake, that mud/sandy fill becomes a big bowl of mudflat soup.

    so-so answered in Earthquake! about 1 year ago | Report
    2 comments by O my captain and Russ Campbell, NWEBS…
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