| Shanay-timpishka | |
| Source1: | Mayantuyacu |
| Source1 Location: | Agua Caliente, Peru |
| Source1 Elevation: | 265m (869feet) |
| Mouth: | Pachitea River |
| Mouth Location: | Honoria, Peru |
| Mouth Elevation: | 160m (530feet) |
| Subdivision Type1: | Countries |
| Subdivision Name1: | Peru |
| Subdivision Type2: | Location |
| Length: | 6.4km (04miles) |
| River System: | Amazon River |
| Depth Max: | 6.1m (20feet) |
| Width Max: | 25m (82feet) |
The Shanay-timpishka, also known as La Bomba, is a tributary of the Amazon River, called the "only boiling river in the world".[1] It is long. It is known for the very high temperature of its waters - from to nearly . The name "Shanay-timpishka" means 'boiled by the heat of the sun'—from "shanay" (heat of the sun) and "timpu" (the verb, "to boil"), though the source of the heat is actually geothermal.
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 Yacumama, a giant serpent spirit known as the "Mother of the Waters."[3]
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 along its stretch.
The area faces threats from deforestation. According to National Geographic, up to ninety-nine percent of this is the result of local indigenous populations selling the higher-value lumber from larger trees, then clear-burning the rest. The only section of pristine jungle remaining is the concession granted to Maple Energy, a local oil and gas company, which complies with environmental regulations under penalty of fines.[7]