Deep in the Peruvian jungle, a unique and mysterious river known as the Shanay-Timpishka flows for nine kilometers. Its name, from the indigenous Asháninka tribe’s language, translates to “Heated by the Sun,” and the tribe considers it a sacred place, believing a giant snake spirit heats the water.
This incredible natural phenomenon was first discovered by geothermal scientist Andrés Ruzo. He determined that the Shanay-Timpishka is the hottest river in the world, with water temperatures ranging from 45 to nearly 100 degrees Celsius.
While the local people attribute its properties to mystical forces, scientists have found a scientific explanation. The river’s water becomes scalding hot due to molten rock that rises to the surface along a fault line in the Earth’s crust. This makes the Shanay-Timpishka not only the hottest, but also one of the most unusual geothermal sites on the planet.
“Just as blood flows through our veins and arteries, hot water flows through the cracks and faults of the Earth,” Ruzo noted. “Where these terrestrial arteries surface, we find geothermal phenomena: fumaroles, hot springs, and, in our case, a boiling river.”
Andrés Ruzo believes that deforestation is currently the biggest threat to the river, which could lead to its complete disappearance if protective measures aren’t taken. Because of this, a special “Boiling River Project” was created to study and protect the river and its surrounding area. This includes the rich and diverse flora and fauna that preliminary research has shown to exist in the jungles along the river’s banks.
