流沙是指饱水的疏松砂性土，特别是粉砂和细砂土，在震动力或水动力作用下发生液化、流动的现象。

成因是充满水分的松软泥沙，并受到外力的刺激。当水分被沙堆包围不能泄去时，水和沙就形成了不能承受重量的液态土质。流沙可因静态水、上涌水（如地下水）或地震等因素形成。在有上涌水的情况下，水的冲力抵消了重力，致使泥沙颗粒悬浮。在发生地震的情况下，震动会加大地表水的水压，导致了砂石的液化及泥沙的堆积。这两种情况，液化的地标失去了承重能力，导致地表坍塌或者地面建筑物倾斜。

包含水分的沙土外表看去有可能是干爽结实的，但是如果压力改变或是受到突然的震荡，泥沙颗粒之间的水向沙层上方渗透，逼迫沙粒分开，沙堆扩大。这时沙粒之间会形成一层水垫，形成流沙。陷入流沙的物体会下沉，直至于与流沙比重相当的深度，并因浮力悬浮于该深度。

Quicksand is a colloid hydrogel consisting of fine granular material (such as sand or silt), clay, and water.

Quicksand forms in saturated loose sand when the sand is suddenly agitated. When water in the sand cannot escape, it creates a liquefied soil that loses strength and cannot support weight. Quicksand can form in standing water or in upwards flowing water (as from an artesian spring). In the case of upwards flowing water, seepage forces oppose the force of gravity and suspend the soil particles.