Cargo ships that sink when their cargo suddenly liquefies

Re:Cargo ships that sink when their cargo suddenly liquefies by winceschwab on Friday August 31, 2018 @08:43AM (#17885045)

It’s not a true liquid, but rather solid dust mixed with trace amounts of water. Drier than mud, but powder and rock that can shift in a fluid-like way.

It’s like an avalanche or rock slide.

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Re:Cargo ships that sink when their cargo suddenly liquefies by hfdgiutdryg on Friday August 31, 2018 @09:22AM (#17885329)

The article mentions moisture several times, as well as draining moisture during the trip. It also explains liquefaction in terms of water acting on the solid, whereas I always thought it was just about granularity.

From the article, it doesn't sound like it's about trace amounts of water at all. It sounds like water is somehow involved in the loading process...?

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Re:Cargo ships that sink when their cargo suddenly liquefies by Retric on Friday August 31, 2018 @09:57AM (#17885587)

The liquid is simply acting as a lubricant. So, it takes a very small amount to make a large difference. Really it's less soggy than simply damp.

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Re:Cargo ships that sink when their cargo suddenly liquefies by hfdgiutdryg on Friday August 31, 2018 @03:04PM (#17888001)

So why do they mention draining?

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Re:Cargo ships that sink when their cargo suddenly liquefies by NegativeLatency on Friday August 31, 2018 @03:14PM (#17888061)

Or large parts of SF during an earthquake.

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