The Amazon rainforest hides indescribable mysteries, but one that has captivated explorers, conquerors, and looters for centuries is El Dorado. Man, city, kingdom, and empire, El Dorado transformed with every retelling. However, the version that geothermal expert Andrés Ruzo knew as a child includes a boiling river. The difference is that river actually exists. It lies in the Peruvian Amazon, and as you might expect, it kills everything that enters it.
A few years ago I had the chance to visit several hot springs, and I must confess I never felt comfortable with the idea of water coming out of the ground hot. Maybe I was too marked by a certain scene from Dante's Peak (1997) with Pierce Brosnan... but anyway I prefer solutions that redirect water to pools.
Now, the most interesting thing is that this nightmare fuel (that is, a natural current so hot it could kill a person) exists in the very heart of the Peruvian Amazon. Its local name is Shanay-timpishka, "Heated by the Sun" according to a humble translation.
Shanay-timpishka: The Boiling River
The river became a personal challenge for geothermal expert Andrés Ruzo. His first contact with it was through his grandfather, who told him a version of the story about the mythical city of El Dorado that included "a boiling river".
At first, it was believed that a boiling river in that area was a scientific impossibility. Active volcanoes are hundreds of kilometers away, and the amount of energy required is gigantic.
Ruzo faced criticism from his peers and his thesis advisor, who suggested he stop asking "stupid questions". Fortunately, Ruzo decided to ignore his advisor, traveled to the Mayantuyacu region, and proved that his legendary river was real.
And yes, in its hottest sections it kills everything it touches. Ruzo recorded temperatures above 210 degrees Fahrenheit, or 98.8 degrees Celsius. Reptiles, birds, insects... their remains are quite common on the shore. A huge, hot, non-volcanic river. Wonderful and terrifying at the same time.
