It is now believed that the Amazon River, the river that carries more water than any other river in the world, one flowed east to west and into the Pacific Ocean. Granted, this ended more than a few years ago, sometime between 16 million and 130 million years ago. Nonetheless, it's fascinating news that the Amazon likely flowed into the Pacific Ocean at one time (or maybe a few times?). The change in flow to its current direction is thought to be related to the breakup of South America from Africa. This study was reported at the American Geological Society annual meeting and then reported by National Geographic News.
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Matt: Excellent Halloween links. There is also a Punkin Center (spelled exactly that way) on the Colorado high plains. An important highway junction but just a few houses in size.
This study has implications for river systems all over the world. Did the Nile always flow north? Has Australia’s Murray-Darling system always flowed south-west?
So little time. So much to discover.
Matt, I love about.com. I am a Geography teacher and use your information on a regular basis. Even though I am learning new things everyday, I had just seen a video from National Geographic a feww weeks back and the introduction talked about the changed flow of the amazone river due to paltes and volcanism on the west coast causing the water to drain into the Atlantic after a period of time. So like usual what you post is always enjoyable to read,learn and reinforce.
Thanks for the knowledge keep up the amazing work. Mike
The National Geographic video “Portrait of a Continent: South America” begins with that senario. It describes the change as a result of plate tectonics as the subduction zone that created the Andes.
I agree that the info this newsletter includes is great for geography teachers like us!
Thank you so very much for the wonderful kudos Mike and Sharon!!!