Shanay-Timpishka

The Shanay-Timpishka, also known as La Bomba, is a tributary of the Amazon River, called the "only boiling river in the world".[1][2] It is 6.4 km long. It is known for the very high temperature of its waters—from 45°C to nearly 100°C. The name means 'boiled by the heat of the sun', though the source of the heat is actually geothermal.

Shanay-Timpishka
Location
CountriesPeru
Physical characteristics
Length6.4 kilometres (4.0 mi)
Width 
 • maximum82 feet (25 m)
Depth 
 • maximum20 feet (6.1 m)
Basin features
River systemAmazon River

Location and Mythology

The river is located in the Mayantuyacu sanctuary, part of the Huánuco high forest. The area is inhabited by an Asháninka community.[2] Local shamans believe that the boiling water is birthed by Yucamama, a giant serpent spirit known as the "Mother of the Waters."[3]

Scientific Explanation

Andrés Ruzo, a geothermal scientist, has investigated the source of the heat. He initially learned of it as a child from his grandfather.[4] The river maintains its high temperature despite not being near any known active volcanoes or geothermal vents, which normally provide geothermal heating for groundwater.[5] Despite its unique nature, National Geographic has described it as an entirely natural feature: a non-volcanic, geothermal feature flowing at anomalously high rates.[6] The predominant theory for the source of this heat is from the geothermal gradient of the Earth. Being closer to the Earth's mantle, underground water tends to be of a higher temperature than surface water. The theory is that rainwater falls onto the surface of the Amazon Rainforest and finds deep-rooted faults where it travels down into the crust. The water is thus heated in accordance with the geothermal gradient. It is then likely fed to the surface of the Earth through fault-fed hot springs that act to heat up the river through its stretch.[3]

Threats

The Shanay-Timpishka faces threats from deforestation. According to National Geographic, it is in fact the local native population which carries out most of the deforestation around the area. Up to ninety nine percent of deforestation around the Boiling River being caused by locals felling the larger and more expensive trees, then clear burning the rest. A local oil and gas company called Maple Energy has in fact taken to protecting some of the jungle around the area.[6][7]

References
  1. Andrés Ruzo, The Boiling River: Adventure and Discovery in the Amazon, passim
  2. Collazos Cueto, Victoria Gisel, Falco Flor, Fernando Saúl, "Mayantuyacu, destino místico", Thesis, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, 10 February 2018
  3. Nace, Trevor. "Legendary Boiling River Of The Amazon Is A Geological Anomaly". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  4. Kim, Soo. "Peru's mysterious 'boiling river' that burns animals to death". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  5. Calderone, Julia. "The story of the legendary river in Peru that is so hot it boils animals alive". Business Insider. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  6. "This River Kills Everything That Falls Into It". National Geographic News. 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  7. "Scientists Discover a Boiling River of Amazonian Legend". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
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