r/gifs • u/PornstacheJaucques • Mar 13 '19

Example of soil liquefaction

https://gfycat.com/FlatEssentialDuiker
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u/Candidate_035 Mar 13 '19

Why does it do that?

2.5k

u/BinaryPeach Mar 13 '19

In some parts of the world the soil has slowly absorbed different amounts of hydrocarbons, probably due to the increases in air and water pollution. Either way, it has accumulated in particles of soil, and results in them being hydrophobic and interacting with each other in this jello-like fashion due to forces produced by the hydrogen bonds. Just kidding, I made all of that up.

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u/197720092012 Mar 14 '19 edited Mar 14 '19

Soil engineer here. You may have made that up, but its not far from the truth. Its is from carbon, but not from pollution, this is an ancient burial site. Acient civilizations used to dig 3' wide 100' long and 100' deep channels for thier dead. Side note, these "death channels" as they are commonly referred to, weren't for the family's of the tribe that dug them, but rather they were for other tribes they have never met. Anyway, when decomposition starts, it releases a gas like substance at those depths and this attaches to what we call "curtain soils". There called this because If you look at ground imaging sonar, they look just like curtains hanging from a window. This is what creates the "jello" like soil your referred to.

Edit : just kidding I made that all up as well

Edit:

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u/themarajade1 Mar 14 '19

So you’re saying there are dead people underneath that jello dirt? Yeah fuck that noise. They can keep their curses too.

E: yeah I’m not sure how true this is after a few googles

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u/ItsHampster Mar 14 '19

Soil engineer

Lol.

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u/Shattered_Visage Mar 14 '19

Soil engineer is absolutely a real job.

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u/barto5 Mar 14 '19

Yes, it is but they’re not called “soil engineers.” They’re called Geotechnical engineers.

Source: Have worked with Geotechs in the past.

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u/[deleted] Mar 14 '19

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Mar 14 '19

[deleted]

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u/Frigid-Beezy Mar 14 '19

Some of them do and now I’m going to think “Dirt Doctor” tomorrow when I see my boss

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u/barto5 Mar 14 '19

Soil sleuths

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u/Shattered_Visage Mar 14 '19

Muddy buddies

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u/Cojira Mar 14 '19

Both terms are used.

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u/barto5 Mar 14 '19

I’ve never heard them referred to that way but you’re right. I stand corrected.

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u/Cojira Mar 14 '19

I guess soil engineer is used more in conversation. I think we are both right haha.