Why is the sand squeaky in Australia? Expat loses her mind over a ‘bizarre’ noise at Aussie beaches

Australia
By William

>

American expat loses her mind over ‘strange’ noise on Australian beaches: ‘I’ve never heard this before’

  • American expat has noticed a strange sound on an Australian beach
  • Tate Duane noticed the sand beginning to ‘squeak’ on a Gold Coast beach

By Carina Stathis for Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

An American expat living in Australia noticed a “strange” sound on a beach.

Tate Duane of California, who posts under the TikTok name twaynne, says sand began to “squeak” on a Gold Coast beach as he walked.

‘This is literally insane. I’ve never heard squeaky sand before,’ she said in a short video posted Sunday.

In the clip, Tate records herself walking on the hot sand, and if you listen carefully, you can hear the squeaks.

It follows after the young expat revealed a list of things that have surprised her since moving Down Under.

'This is literally insane. I've never heard squeaky sand before,' she said in a short video posted Sunday.

Tate Duane, who posts under the TikTok name twaynne, claims that the sand began to “squeak” on a Gold Coast beach as he walked. ‘This is literally insane. I’ve never heard squeaky sand before,’ he said in a short video posted Sunday.

But there is a simple explanation for the observation. According to Parks Victoria, the fine, rounded grains of quartz sand compress underfoot and produce a high-pitched grinding noise.

But there is a simple explanation for the observation. According to Parks Victoria, the fine, rounded grains of quartz sand compress underfoot and produce a high-pitched grinding noise.

But there is a simple explanation for the observation.

According Victoria Parksthe fine, rounded grains of quartz sand compress underfoot and produce a high-pitched squeak.

Others quickly commented on the video, with one saying, “I thought that was normal.”

“Usually happens more when it’s hot,” wrote another, with a third adding: “Happens a lot on Australian beaches.”

Another added: “It just means everything is sand and nothing else.”

Some may also call this ‘singing sand’.

Why does the sand squeak?

Fine, rounded grains of quartz sand are compressed under your feet, creating a high-pitched grinding noise.

Squeaky beaches are found in many places around the world, on every continent except Antarctica. The white-sand beach in Victoria, Australia has even earned the nickname ‘The Squeaky Beach’ due to the shrill high pitch it produces.

Sand singing has been seen along the beaches of the Atlantic coast and the shores of North America’s Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.

This phenomenon, however, does not occur on all beaches since for the beaches to creak, both the sand and the sea must meet certain conditions.

This is because singing sand is made up almost entirely of grains of white quartz. Quartz is crystalline silicon dioxide, which is widely used for the manufacture of glass. What makes quartz sand special is that it has a well rounded, almost spherical polished surface.

On the other hand, the sand present on regular beaches consists of a wide variety of rock grains, crushed shell particles, and organic matter. They are a mixture of grains with different sizes, shapes, and chemical compositions.

Fountain: Victoria Parks and ABC’s of science

Last year, Tate revealed that she was baffled by everything from the way Australians drive and talk to the food served in restaurants.

First on the list is Australians driving on the opposite side of the road, which is “stressful” for her.

“I’ve lived abroad before, I’ve driven on the wrong side of the road, but for some reason here, watching people drive stresses me out,” he said.

Left turns give him the most anxiety, as he wrestles with the rules about not being able to turn right ‘on red’.

The second surprise is that Australians like to shorten their words: “All words are shortened, even if they don’t need to be shortened,” he said.

“A lady came in the other day and asked for two caps, and I thought she said two cups, so I handed her two cups, but she wanted two cappuccinos.”

It follows after the young expat revealed a list of things that have surprised her since moving Down Under. First on the list is that Australians drive on the opposite side of the road, which is

It follows after the young expat revealed a list of things that have surprised her since moving Down Under. First on the list is Australians driving on the opposite side of the road, which is “stressful” for her.

she said the word

She said the word “foodie” is never used in the US, but she has heard it a lot since coming to Australia. ‘I think it’s very funny. Like when people text ‘KEEEEEN’ when they’re so excited about something,’ she said.

She said the word “foodie” is never used in the US, but she has heard it a lot since coming to Australia.

‘I think it’s very funny. Like when people text ‘KEEEEEN’ when they’re so excited about something,” she said.

He went on to compare American and Australian traditions.

‘All of our plumbers in the US are stereotyped as these older men. Everyone here is so young. Like all electricians, plumbers, miners,’ he said.

He then said that Asian food is a ‘yes’ in Australia while Mexican is a ‘no’.

You might also like More from author