Quicksand isn’t a myth like some people believe it to be. It’s not common, however, and you probably won’t sink to death if you become trapped, either. As kids, movies and pop culture often referenced the fear of dying as a result of being trapped or pulled under by quicksand rather quickly.
What is quicksand
A mixture of sand, water, and clay.
Quicksand can form on beaches, tidal flats, riverbanks or near springs, anywhere the ground is saturated with water. Florida and the Carolinas are risky with their marsh coasts, while parts of Utah, New Mexico and Arizona have clay-filled waters that mix with sand to form the traps. -dailymail.co.uk
Quicksand in Massachusetts
Modern incidents of quicksand are rare, but hikers and hunters occasionally report encounters in areas like the Hockomock Swamp (Bridgewater, Easton, Norton, Raynham, Taunton, and West Bridgewater), a region with tons of local lore. Safety measures include staying on marked trails and carrying a stick to probe soft ground.
In Massachusetts, quicksand is most likely to occur in wetland areas like the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (Concord) or along the banks of rivers such as the Charles or Ipswich, where fine sediments and high water create ideal conditions.
Quincy, MA incidents
Two stories of two women getting stuck in quicksand in Quincy, MA made headlines in the last few years…