Pororoca facts for kids
The Pororoca is a giant wave that forms in the Amazon River and nearby rivers in Brazil. It's a special type of wave called a tidal bore. Imagine the ocean pushing a huge wall of water up a river! These waves can be as tall as 4 meters (about 13 feet) and can travel very far inland, sometimes up to 800 kilometers (about 500 miles) from the ocean.
The name "Pororoca" might come from the Tupi language, spoken by native people in the area. It could mean "great roar" because of the loud noise the wave makes. Another idea is that it comes from the words poroc (to take out or tear away) and oca (house), suggesting its power to destroy things. This amazing wave happens where the Amazon River meets the Atlantic Ocean.
How the Pororoca Wave Forms
The Pororoca forms when the ocean's tide is at its highest. This happens during a new moon and a full moon. At these times, the ocean water flows into the river instead of the river flowing into the ocean. This creates a big bulge of water that rushes upstream with great force. It makes a loud roaring sound as it travels.
The best time to see the Pororoca is during the biannual equinoxes in September and March. This is when the Earth, Moon, and Sun line up perfectly. Their combined gravitational pull makes the tides even stronger, creating the biggest Pororoca waves. This special type of tide is called a spring tide.
Surfing the Pororoca
The Pororoca wave has become very popular with surfers. Since 1999, there has even been an annual surfing championship. It takes place in a town called São Domingos do Capim, on a river next to the Amazon called the Guamá River.
However, surfing the Pororoca is very dangerous. The powerful wave carries a lot of things from the riverbanks, like whole trees! There are also dangerous animals in the water. In 2003, a Brazilian surfer named Picuruta Salazar set a record. He rode the wave for an amazing 12.5 kilometers (about 7.8 miles), and his ride lasted 37 minutes!
See also
In Spanish: Pororoca para niños
