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In 2011, scientists proposed the existence of a colossal underground water flow beneath the Amazon Basin, parallel to the famous Amazon river. Learn about the “Hamza River” and the controversies surrounding it.
The majestic Amazon River, known for its volume and global importance, may have an enigmatic “twin” running at great depths beneath its feet: the so-called “Hamza River.” Announced in 2011, this proposed underground system would be continental in size, following a course parallel to that of the Amazon River.
But what exactly is the Hamza? An actual river, or a vast aquifer? This discovery has generated both fascination and debate in the scientific community. Let’s explore its characteristics, scientific basis, and the controversies surrounding it. of this giant hidden that runs under the Amazon river.
The discovery of the “Hamza River”: an underground stream beneath the famous Amazon River
The identification of the Hamza system was announced in August 2011, during the 12th International Congress of the Brazilian Geophysical Society. The research was conducted by a team led by Valiya Mannathal Hamza, scientist at the National Observatory, and Elizabeth Tavares Pimentel, then a PhD student at the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM).
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The basis for the discovery was temperature data from 241 deep oil wells, drilled by Petrobras in the Amazon Basin, mainly in the 1970s and 1980s. The designation “Rio Hamza”, a tribute to the researcher, is not an official geographical name, reflecting its status as a scientific proposition still under discussion.
Proposed features of Hamza
The Hamza system, as described, would have impressive dimensions. It is estimated that length of approximately 6.000 km, running from west to east under the basin of the Amazon river, at an average depth of almost 4.000 meters. Its width could vary between 200 and 400 km, exceeding that of the Amazon river in many passages.
Despite its vastness, its hydrological dynamics are very distinct. The estimated discharge is around 3.000 to 3.900 m³/s, only 2-3% of the total discharge. Amazon river. Most notably, the speed of water flow in the Hamza would be extraordinarily slow, comparable to that of a glacier (10 to 100 meters per year), occurring as a percolation through porous sedimentary rocks, and not in an open channel.
The “Hamza River” under debate: scientific controversies and the question of correct terminology
The main scientific controversy surrounding the Hamza lies in its classification as a “river”. Many geologists and hydrogeologists argue that the term is inappropriate., since the phenomenon described – slow and diffuse flow through a porous medium – corresponds to the definition of an extensive deep aquifer system, very different from the conventional underground rivers found in karst terrains.
Skepticism is also directed at the methodology, which is based on indirect evidence (temperature anomalies) from a limited number of wells to define a continental scale system. Furthermore, the salinity of the Hamza water is a point of debate: some reports indicate a high salt content, while others suggest a fresh origin, which would directly impact its interaction with the ecosystem of the Amazon river and the Atlantic Ocean.
What would the existence of Hamza mean for the Amazon River Basin?
If the existence of the Hamza system with the proposed characteristics is confirmed, a significant review of the water balance of the Amazon Basin would be necessary. It would represent an important component in the transport of water in the region, influencing the understanding of local hydrogeology and, potentially, interactions with shallower aquifers and with the region itself. Amazon river.
The implications for the Atlantic Ocean, where the Hamza supposedly flows into the ocean, would also depend crucially on the salinity of its waters. Solving these mysteries and understanding its recharge and discharge mechanisms are fundamental to assessing its real role in the Earth system.
The “Hamza River” Today: Between Intriguing Scientific Hypothesis and Popular Fascination
More than a decade after its announcement, the “Hamza River” remains more in the realm of an intriguing hypothesis than a universally accepted scientific fact. The absence of robust follow-up studies and independent validation in the peer-reviewed scientific literature means that many fundamental questions remain unanswered.
The Hamza saga highlights the complexity of investigating the vast and inaccessible subterranean domains beneath the Amazon river. Regardless of its final classification, the initial research stimulated interest in the deep hydrogeology of the Amazon, highlighting The importance rigorous science and independent verification in exploring the frontiers of our planet.
