On the vast and dynamic canvas of South America, nature presents a less visible but equally powerful miracle: the flying rivers. These airborne water vapor streams, capable of carrying more liquid than the mighty Amazon River, considered the longest in the world, play a crucial role in the continent's climate balance and biodiversity. Its existence, closely linked to the health of the Amazon, highlights the connection between ecosystems and the importance of their conservation.
These rivers can reach up to two kilometers high, feed on evaporated moisture from the Amazon rainforest and the tropical Atlantic. The trade winds act as a vehicle that transports this moisture through the atmosphere at low altitudes. According to the BBC, flying rivers are vital to agricultural production and the livelihoods of millions of people in Latin America.
YOU CAN SEE: The Mukaab, the cube that will be one of the largest buildings in the world: equivalent to 20 Empire States
What are flying rivers and where do they occur?
The flying rivers These are huge streams of water vapor that move through the atmosphere and originate mainly in the Amazon basin. This phenomenon, visible only with special instruments, is fueled by evaporation from the Atlantic Ocean and the enormous transpiration of the Amazon rainforest. With heights of up to two kilometers, these invisible currents cross the continent and influence the weather conditions in Latin America.
Flying rivers can reach a height of up to two kilometers. Photo: LR/Curadas-Komposition
The formation and movement of flying rivers depends on complex atmospheric and terrestrial interactions. They begin their journey in the North Atlantic, where strong evaporation along with the trade winds transport moisture into the interior of the continent. As they travel across the Amazon, these airflows are enriched with additional moisture from the jungle, forming strong currents that can carry more water than the Amazon itself.
YOU CAN SEE: Torre Obispado, the tallest building in Latin America: how much does it exceed the tallest in Peru?
What is their journey and why are they important?
The journey of the flying rivers is a natural spectacle that stretches over thousands of kilometers. From their origin in the Atlantic, they cross the Amazon and flow towards the Andes, where their flow is influenced by the mountainous topography and deviates towards the south and east of South America. Under the right conditions, water vapor condenses and falls as rain, which is critical to agricultural regions Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and in the north Argentina.
These steam flows are fundamental to freshwater distribution in South America, supporting ecosystems, communities and economies along the way. Furthermore, its impacts extend beyond continental boundaries and influence global climate patterns, highlighting the importance of the Amazon as a climate regulator and source of biodiversity.
Flying rivers represent a crucial link between the Amazon rainforest and life in South America. Its exploration and conservation are critical to understanding current and future climate challenges.