The study looked at how the pressure from the weight of soil affects how easily sand can turn into liquid during an earthquake. They found that the resistance of sand to liquefaction changes depending on how much pressure is on top of it. By studying a dam in British Columbia, they discovered that the resistance of sand to liquefaction is influenced by the amount of pressure on it and how tightly packed the sand is. This means that the safety of structures built on sandy soil during earthquakes can vary depending on these factors.