Mysterious river that boils victims discovered in the Amazon

Scientists have discovered a four-mile river in the Amazon which is so hot that it boils.

Peruvian geologist Andrés Ruzo pursued the myth of a boiling river after his grandfather told him a story about Spanish conquerors seeking gold in the Amazon and crossing deadly obstacles, including a river that boils from below.

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In his new book, The Boiling River: Adventure and Discovery in the Amazon, Ruzo explains that the river turned out to be the sacred geothermal healing site of Mayantuyacu, situated in the heart of the Peruvian rainforest and protected by a powerful shaman.

Gizmodo reports that it is up to 82 feet wide and 20 feet deep and its water is hot enough to brew tea or cook any animals that fall in.

Speaking to the website, Ruzo said: "You're surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest. You feel this water surging past you and plumes of vapour coming up. It's truly a spectacular place."

He is now trying to protect the site through The Boiling River Project as the surrounding forest has been destroyed by logging and is at risk of vanishing completely.

"In the middle of my PhD, I realized, this river is a natural wonder," Ruzo told Gizmodo. "And it's not going to be around unless we do something about it."