Amazon Lakes Turn Into Scorching Basins as Drought Fuels 105°F Heat

In 2023, extreme heat and drought transformed lakes in Brazil, particularly around Tefé, into dangerously hot basins, threatening the survival of local dolphin populations.

Lake temperatures in Brazil reached 105°F, exceeding the maximum recommended for hot tubs, as a severe drought and heat wave impacted the region.
The study highlights that Tefé, a crucial area for aquatic life, has seen fish and dolphin populations decline sharply due to these extreme temperature changes.
Researchers note that the unprecedented heat wave is part of a troubling trend in tropical hydrology, with lakes warming dramatically under climate change pressures.

Why It Matters

This event underscores the urgent impacts of climate change on vulnerable ecosystems, particularly in tropical regions like Brazil, where rising temperature levels threaten biodiversity and local wildlife.