Dry quicksand is formed by escaping gases below the earth’s crust. The friction from moving continental plates (which are fractured and only connected loosely) creates gas buildups that regularly escape to the surface. This creates air between the fine dune sand thus creating dry quicksand. This is sand you cannot traverse normally, as you will sink into it, choking and crushing you. Dry quicksand is almost indistinguishable from normal sand, aside from the fact that it seems to move and flow like water.
Prolonged exposure to these mineral-rich vapours locked in underground caves has formed crystals with unique properties: when cracked open, the concentrated vapours inside release, glowing bright greenish-blue before dissipating. These released fumes, when inhaled, have an intoxicating, arousing and relaxing effect on humans. Therefore it has since its discovery grown into a popular recreational drug, for those that can afford it.