Fech fech

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Fech fech (Arabic: فش فش‎) is a very fine powder caused by the erosion of clay-limestone terrain, pulverulent soil under a thin crust common in deserts.^[1] It is not determinable from the surface and can therefore pose a significant transportation hazard acting as a surprise "trap" as the ground collapses beneath a vehicle miring it in a quicksand-like substance.

Fech fech is common in the Qattara Depression, making that portion of the Sahara Desert deemed impassable to most vehicles.

[edit] See also

• Dry quicksand

[edit] References

1. ^ Pelisson, R & R. CO3, DaG carbonaceous chondrite meteorite (HTML). SaharaMet. Retrieved on 2008-01-13. “... trap is called "fech-fech", a very fine powder caused by erosion of the clay-limestone terrain, a pulverulent soil under a thin crust, not really discernible. Don't stop ...”