Earth

What is the Science Behind the Boiling River

So what could be causing the river to boil?

Published

2 months ago

January 3, 2025

Veena M A

Image credit: Wikimedia/Youtube screen shot/Animal Tube

When Andrés Ruzo, a native of Lima, Peru, was very young, his grandfather told him a captivating story—the story of the Spanish conquest of Peru. Atahualpa, the last ruler of the Inca Empire, was captured and executed by Francisco Pizarro and his Spanish soldiers. They became wealthy by plundering the gold and treasures of the Inca Empire. The tale became widely known in Spain, leading many Spaniards to venture to Peru, eager to claim gold and power. They asked the Incas where they could find more gold, and the Incas pointed toward the Amazon jungle, saying, “Go there, there’s as much gold as you need. There is even a city built of gold called Paititi.”

Spurred by these rumors, the Spaniards entered the Amazon in search of treasure. However, only a few of them returned from the jungle, and they came back with more than just tales of gold. They spoke of a tribe of mighty shamans, warriors armed with poisoned arrows, towering trees that blocked out the sun, eight-legged creatures that ate birds, snakes that devoured humans, and, most notably, a boiling river.

Andrés Ruzo grew up hearing these stories, and the image of the boiling river was etched in his mind. During his PhD studies, focused on geothermal energy potential in Peru, the thought of this river resurfaced. He wondered: Could such a river really exist? He posed the question to his colleagues, the government, and even to oil and gas companies. The unanimous answer was no. While warm rivers exist near volcanoes, there were no volcanoes in the Amazon—especially not in Peru. It seemed unlikely that a boiling river could exist there.

Ruzo once shared this viewpoint with his family during a dinner, but his aunt quickly interrupted. “No, Andrés,” she said, “there is such a river, I have been there.” Her husband agreed, confirming the story. That was when Ruzo’s relationship with the Boiling River truly began. From that moment, he set out to prove that the boiling river in the Amazon was not just a myth.

Ruzo ventured into the Amazon to find the river his grandfather and aunt had spoken of. This river is located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest in central Peru. As Ruzo described in an interview, as he approached the river, he heard what sounded like waves crashing on the shore. Soon, he began to see steam rising through the trees. The river, which he had first learned about through his grandfather’s stories, filled the air with steam. Upon testing the water temperature, Ruzo found it to be 86°C. The river’s temperature ranges from a minimum of 27°C to a maximum of 94°C. Many hot springs feed into the river, adding to the extreme heat. The river stretches for about 9 kilometers, with 6.24 kilometers of it flowing with boiling water. In the summer, the river is hot enough to kill anyone who falls into it. Small creatures, including frogs and snakes, are often found drowned in its waters.

The only people who live near this river are indigenous tribal communities, particularly the Shaman tribe, who consider the Boiling River sacred. To them, the river is a divine presence, an essential part of their daily life. They believe that Yakumama, the water goddess, transforms cold water into hot. In their language, yaku means water. The tribe uses the water from the river to drink, cook, make medicine, and even inhale the steam rising from its surface.

Locally, the river is known as Shanai Timpishka, which translates to “boiling by the heat of the sun.” But what is the scientific explanation behind the boiling waters of this river?

In 2011, Ruzo began his research on Shanai Timpishka, as little was known about the river outside of the local community. Even the people of Peru regarded the river as a legend rather than a natural phenomenon.

When Ruzo first encountered the river, he too was skeptical about its origin. Typically, rivers with such high temperatures are found near volcanic activity, but the nearest volcano to this river is over 700 kilometers away. So what could be causing the water to boil?

Another possibility was geothermal heat. But to explain the river’s boiling waters through geothermal energy, a massive heat source and a vast system of plumbing would be required to carry hot water to the surface.

With the support of the indigenous tribes living nearby, Ruzo set out to investigate what was truly happening at Shanai Timpishka. Each year, he returned to the Amazon to collect samples and measure the river’s temperature. As he recalls in his TED Talk, his fieldwork was filled with danger and adventure. On one occasion, after a heavy rain, he stood for hours on a small rock in the river, which was flowing at 80°C.

*Image credit: Sofía Ruzo/Andres Ruzo/Facebook*

Over the course of several years, Ruzo conducted geophysical and geochemical experiments, ultimately reaching several conclusions.

The Boiling River is No Myth

Ruzo’s first major revelation to the world was that the Boiling River in the Amazon was not a mere myth. Despite not being near any volcanic activity, he began to explain the reasons behind the extreme temperatures in the river. The culprit, he concluded, was fault-fed hot springs. Just as blood flows through our veins, hot water travels through fissures in the Earth’s crust. When this hot water reaches the surface, geothermal phenomena like fumaroles (vents releasing gases and steam), hot springs, and boiling rivers like Shanai Timpishka occur.

Ruzo explains that a large hydrothermal system lies beneath the river. As water travels deep into the Earth, it gradually heats up. This is known as the geothermal gradient. The water, originating far below the Earth’s surface, flows through cracks or vents, eventually emerging as boiling water on the surface. The indigenous tribes in the area believe that the cold water from the river is transformed into hot water by the Earth’s heat—a phenomenon they regard as divine.

The river itself stretches across about 6.24 kilometers of boiling waters. It’s filled with large thermal pools, six-meter-high waterfalls, and other unique features. At certain points, the water reaches temperatures hot enough to rival your cup of coffee, and in some sections, the heat is even more intense.

What is Geothermal Heat?

The Earth’s interior consists of three layers: the crust, the mantle, and the core. The core is in a liquid state, and its temperature can reach up to 6,500°C. As water travels deeper into the Earth, it heats up, and as it nears the surface, this geothermal heat manifests itself in the form of fumaroles, hot springs, and rivers like Shanai Timpishka.

The process by which heat energy is released from the Earth’s core is known as geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is a renewable source of energy that is used worldwide for various purposes, including electricity generation.

Why the Boiling River Needs Protection

Although rivers near volcanoes may have hot water, a river with such high temperatures—away from volcanic influence—is exceptionally rare. However, the area around the Boiling River is facing significant threats. Large-scale deforestation is taking place in the region, and the river is also at risk due to industrial development.

While the heat source behind the Boiling River is an extraordinary geothermal phenomenon, more research and studies are still needed to fully understand it. Andrés Ruzo, in collaboration with local tribes, has initiated major efforts to protect the river. The Boiling River Project, based in the United States, is a non-profit initiative aimed at preserving this unique natural wonder. One of the key goals of the project is to declare the area around the river a Peruvian National Monument, ensuring its protection for future generations.

Earth

Kerala Elephant in Critical Condition After Head Injury: Urgent Medical Attention Needed

The elephant, estimated to be around 35 years old, is suffering from a deep head wound, with exposed tissue and maggots, causing immense pain

Published

1 week ago

February 15, 2025

Lakshmi Narayanan

Image credit: 'Kattanapremikal' (Wild Elephant Lovers) WhatsApp Group

A wild elephant found with a severe head injury in the Athirappilly and Ezattumugham Forest Range in South Indian state Kerala continues to face a life-threatening situation. The elephant, estimated to be around 35 years old, is suffering from a deep head wound, with exposed tissue and maggots, causing immense pain. Local residents and wildlife enthusiasts are urgently calling for more attention to the situation.

In January, the elephant was spotted in an oil palm plantation with a deep wound on its head. Following requests from the locals, the Kerala Forest Department, led by Dr. Arun Zacharia, carried out initial treatment by tranquilizing and capturing the elephant, providing the first stage of medical care before releasing it back into the wild. According to the medical team, the injury was likely caused during a conflict with other elephants.

The elephant has been seen desperately throwing dirt onto its head in an attempt to alleviate its pain, further aggravating the injury

However, within days of its release, the elephant returned to the palm plantation, and its condition has worsened significantly. Locals have reported that the wound is now even more severe, with visible rotting flesh and maggots. The elephant has been seen desperately throwing dirt onto its head in an attempt to alleviate its pain, further aggravating the injury. To ease its suffering, the elephant has been seen standing in water, a known behaviour when in distress.

Moreover, the elephant appears to be rejecting food, and it is suspected that the infection from the wound has spread to other parts of its body. The ongoing infection has impacted the digestive process, leading to severe weight loss. According to nearby residents and wildlife lovers, the elephant is rapidly deteriorating in both health and strength.

Video credit: Manuprasad

To save the elephant, experts emphasize the need for immediate intervention. It is crucial to capture the elephant again using trained “kumki” elephants (trained elephants used to capture, calm, and herd wild elephants in India), and then transport it to a more controlled environment, such as the Kodanad Elephant Camp (Ernakulam district of Kerala), where it can receive expert care and advanced medical treatment. However, Dr. Arun Zacharia, the Forest Veterinary Surgeon, has told the media that the elephant’s current health condition does not allow for the safe use of tranquilizers to capture it.

The situation is becoming increasingly dire, and without prompt and adequate intervention, the elephant’s chances of survival are bleak. Environmentalists and wildlife organizations are urged to step in and take immediate action to prevent the unnecessary suffering and potential loss of this majestic animal.

This distressing situation calls for the urgent involvement of national environmentalists and NGOs to bring attention to the elephant’s condition and mobilize resources for its rescue and treatment. The community hopes that swift action will help prevent this tragedy and ensure the elephant receives the care it desperately needs.

Earth

Global Effort to Save Glaciers Begins

UNESCO and WMO have launched the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation to combat global melting crisis

Published

1 month ago

January 21, 2025

EP Staff

UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) officially launched the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation on January 21, 2025, marking a critical moment in the fight against the accelerating retreat of glaciers, which provide essential freshwater to over 2 billion people globally.

The year-long initiative, which was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2022, aims to raise global awareness about the vital role glaciers play in the climate system and hydrological cycle. It also highlights the urgent need for action to tackle the challenges posed by the rapid melting of these “water towers” of the world.

A Call for Action on Glaciers’ Preservation

Over 275,000 glaciers worldwide, covering approximately 700,000 square kilometers, store around 70% of the planet’s freshwater. Yet, these critical resources are melting at an alarming rate due to climate change, posing significant risks to water security, ecosystems, and livelihoods.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the urgency of the situation in a press statement: “WMO recently confirmed that 2024 was the warmest year on record and has sounded repeated Red Alerts about the state of our climate, including the retreat of glaciers. In 2023, glaciers suffered the largest mass loss in five decades. This international year must be a wake-up call to the world.”

“In 2023, glaciers suffered the largest mass loss in five decades. This international year must be a wake-up call to the world,”Celeste Saulo,WMO Secretary-General

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay underscored the profound significance of glaciers beyond their environmental role: “The preservation of glaciers stands as one of humanity’s most urgent challenges. These ancient ice formations are not just frozen water – they are the guardians of our planet’s climate history, the source of life for billions, and sacred places for many cultures.”

Raising Awareness and Mobilizing Action

The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation will bring together more than 75 international organizations and 35 countries, with numerous events and activities designed to educate the public and encourage policy changes. These efforts will focus on expanding global glacier monitoring systems, improving early warning systems for glacier-related hazards, and promoting sustainable water resource management in glacier-dependent regions.

Bahodur Sheralizoda, Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection of Tajikistan, which played a key role in the declaration of the year, expressed confidence in the initiative’s potential: “We are confident that this initiative will mobilize the global community, inspire action, and drive the policies and solutions necessary to protect these invaluable natural resources.”

The Impact of Glacier Loss

Glaciers are not only crucial for freshwater storage but also act as time capsules of Earth’s climate history. They preserve valuable records that inform scientists about past climate patterns, atmospheric composition, and even human activities. As glaciers continue to melt, these archives are lost forever.

John Pomeroy, co-chair of the Advisory Board and professor at the University of Saskatchewan, pointed out the consequences of glacier retreat: “Glaciers don’t care if we believe in science – they just melt in the heat for all to see. More than 2 billion people rely on mountain snow and ice to replenish their rivers, lakes, and groundwater. All of this is now at risk as global heating causes rapid glacier retreat.”

“The preservation of glaciers stands as one of humanity’s most urgent challenges,” Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

The impacts of glacier loss are especially severe for communities living in regions like the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and the Tibetan Plateau, where the headwaters of major river basins provide water to half of humanity. The immediate dangers include increased landslides, avalanches, floods, and droughts. Long-term consequences, however, could threaten the stability of entire economies and ecosystems dependent on glacier-fed waters.

Protecting Cultural Heritage

Glaciers also hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for Indigenous communities across the globe. For many in Asia, Latin America, the Pacific, and East Africa, glaciers are sacred spaces, often linked to deities and ancestral traditions. The loss of glaciers would not only disrupt local water supplies but would also erase invaluable cultural heritage, some of which is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

A Global Call to Action

The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 emphasizes the urgent need for global collaboration to mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects. Governments, scientific institutions, businesses, and civil society are urged to join forces in protecting these irreplaceable natural resources for future generations.

As Carolina Adler, co-chair of the Mountain Research Initiative, noted: “This year is not just a reminder of the glaciers we are losing – it is a call to action to preserve what remains and ensure that future generations inherit a world with the same vital resources we have January 21, 2025.”

The time to act is now, and the world is watching.

Earth

Environmental Challenges Take Centre Stage in an Increasingly Fractured World

Published

1 month ago

January 15, 2025

EP Staff

Credit: Pixabay

The World Economic Forum’s 20th edition of its Global Risks Report, released today, provides a sobering look at the future of our planet. With escalating geopolitical, societal, technological, and environmental crises converging, the report reveals a global landscape that is increasingly divided and fragile. While economic risks have taken a backseat this year, they remain closely intertwined with other challenges, especially those related to the environment.

Environmental Risks: Dominating the Long-Term Outlook

Environmental concerns have taken centre stage in this year’s report, with extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse topping the list of risks expected to pose the greatest threats in the coming decade. The World Economic Forum’s experts surveyed noted that these environmental challenges are expected to not only increase in frequency but also in intensity.

“From conflicts to climate change, we are facing interconnected crises that demand coordinated, collective action,” said Mark Elsner, Head of the Global Risks Initiative at the World Economic Forum. This interconnectedness underscores the urgency of addressing environmental risks not just as isolated threats, but as part of a broader system of global instability.

Extreme weather events, already a top concern for both short-term and long-term risks, are becoming more prevalent, with devastating impacts on communities, economies, and ecosystems around the world. As climate patterns shift and the intensity of storms, floods, and droughts escalates, the pressure on vulnerable populations will intensify.

Beyond extreme weather, the report also highlights the increasingly dire consequences of biodiversity loss, the collapse of ecosystems, and the depletion of natural resources. These environmental degradations are not only harmful to wildlife but threaten to disrupt entire food and water systems, destabilizing nations and exacerbating existing societal tensions.

Pollution, another environmental risk, is perceived as a significant challenge, with its presence in both the short-term and long-term risk categories signaling a growing recognition of its damaging effects on human health and the planet’s ecosystems. Air, water, and land pollution, stemming from industrial processes and unchecked waste, continue to pose long-lasting threats to environmental and public health.

A Fractured Global Landscape

The report also paints a stark picture of geopolitical and societal divisions, signaling a period of intense global instability. Over half of the respondents predict instability within the next two years, fueled by rising geopolitical tensions, societal polarization, and erosion of trust in governing institutions. This instability is further exacerbated by the growing challenges posed by environmental risks.

Mirek Dušek, Managing Director at the World Economic Forum, stressed the impact of these divisions: “Rising geopolitical tensions and a fracturing of trust are driving the global risk landscape.” He added that this breakdown in global cooperation presents an urgent need for collaboration and resilience to prevent further vulnerabilities from compounding.

Environmental risks, intertwined with geopolitical and technological challenges, could trigger a cascade of negative effects, particularly as nations grapple with resource shortages and the growing costs of climate-related disasters. This “fractured” global order, marked by competition among powers, risks undermining efforts to tackle these pressing environmental threats.

The Need for Global Cooperation

The 2025 report presents an alarming vision for the future, with nearly two-thirds of experts predicting a turbulent global landscape by 2035. Many worry that the mechanisms for international collaboration will come under increasing strain as nations struggle to address escalating environmental and societal risks.

However, amid these challenges, the report offers a message of hope: the need for coordinated action. “The consequences of inaction could be felt for generations to come,” warns Elsner. In this context, leaders have an urgent responsibility to prioritize global cooperation. Effective dialogue, trust-building, and the strengthening of international relationships are crucial for fostering resilience in the face of mounting environmental threats.

While the current geopolitical landscape might be fractured, the report makes it clear that turning inward and focusing solely on national interests is not a viable solution. The complexity and interconnectedness of global risks require renewed efforts to collaborate and address the environmental challenges head-on. Only through global cooperation can the world hope to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, protect vital ecosystems, and ensure a sustainable and inclusive future for all.

A Decisive Decade

As we move deeper into the 2020s, the stakes are higher than ever. The coming decade will be a critical period for decision-making. Will leaders rise to the challenge of navigating a fractured global order, or will the world be consumed by escalating risks? The answer lies in the collective ability to foster cooperation, prioritize environmental sustainability, and rebuild trust among nations.

The Global Risks Report serves as a powerful reminder that environmental risks are not isolated challenges; they are deeply interconnected with societal, geopolitical, and economic instability. How the world responds to these pressing issues in the coming years will determine the stability and resilience of future generations.