MEARIM RIVER

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PC: Wikipedia

Context:

Recently, a Brazilian surfer famed for surfing the world's longest tidal waves used Mearim's pororoca to raise awareness about climate change and environmental destruction.

Location:

• The Mearim River is a large river in Maranhão state, northern Brazil.
• The river rises in southern Maranhão and flows north to the Baía de São Marcos (São Marcos Bay), where it shares an estuary with the Pindaré and Grajaú rivers.

What is a Tidal Bore?

A tidal bore is a positive surge of water caused by rising ocean tides pushing against river currents, which usually happens around spring tides and supermoons.

Tidal Bore (Pororoca) Phenomenon in Mearim

• The Mearim River is famed for its pororoca, a tidal bore created when high tides from the ocean travel upstream into the river.
• The term "pororoca" comes from the Tupi Indigenous language and means "great roar," alluding to the tremendous sound produced by the collision of river and ocean waters.
• The bore is often higher along the river's banks than in the center, and it can move upstream for 30 minutes after peak high tide.
• The Mearim pororoca is one of Brazil's last remaining powerful tidal bores, drawing surfers and academics.

Source: reuters