pororoca
tidal bore
Quick Summary
A pororoca is a tidal bore, specifically one that occurs at the mouth of the Amazon River. A tidal bore is a phenomenon where exceptionally high sea tides cause a body of water to rush up a river or estuary. This rush of water forms one or more waves, often breaking, and travels upstream much faster than the normal tidal current. The pororoca on the Amazon can reach heights of up to 12 feet (4 meters). These bores occur during spring tides and are characterized by an abrupt change in water flow as the bore passes.123
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