If there’s one thing left on the bucket list that needs to be ticked it’s a decent stretch spent trekking the Amazon.

Not everyone’s cup of tea, sure, but that’s OK because scientists have done the hard work for you and discovered the river that has long been the stuff of legends.

After searching deep into the Peruvian rainforest they made their discovery at Mayantuyacu, a sacred geothermal healing site used by locals. Here’s Gizmodo:

Up to 82 feet (25 meters) wide and 20 feet (six meters) deep, the river surges for nearly 4 miles at temperatures hot enough to brew tea or cook any animals unfortunate enough to fall in.

And yes, a small portion of it is so hot that it actually boils. There are documented hot springs in the Amazon, but nothing nearly as large as this river…

Save several obscure references in petroleum journals from the 1930s, scientific documentation of the river is non-existent. Somehow, this natural wonder has managed to elude widespread notice for over seventy five years.

It’s not all good news however, with geoscientist (and one of the initial explorers) Andrés Ruzo saying the area is in grave danger:

Since Ruzo first visited Mayantuyacu in 2011, the surrounding forest has been decimated by illegal logging. If action isn’t taken, the site—held sacred by generations of Asháninka cultural practitioners—could soon vanish.

Ruzo hopes that by putting a spotlight on the boiling river, he can garner the public interest and financial support needed to ensure its long-term survival. While Mayantuyacu faces many threats, from loggers to would-be energy developers, the coalition to protect its unique natural and cultural heritage grows stronger every day.

Power to the people, if we cannot protect remarkable scientific studies such as these what hope we do have preventing frackers in areas like the KZN Midlands?

[source:gizmodo]