A video circulating on social media shows rainwater flooding the sand and seemingly creating new lagoons in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Maranhão, Brazil. However, the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) clarified that the footage actually depicts the breaching of an existing small lagoon rather than the formation of new ones. Local residents refer to such events colloquially as when a 'lagoon bursts.'

According to ICMBio, the formation of new lagoons as a result of these breaches is extremely rare. The event is characterized as a natural phenomenon within the dune field, which can occur annually depending on the amount of rainfall in the region. The Instituto emphasizes that these occurrences are a part of the larger dune dynamics and do not typically contribute to the creation of new bodies of water.

This information is significant for both local residents and visitors to the park, as it helps clarify misconceptions about the ecology of the area. With the natural dynamics of the dune landscape, understanding such phenomena can enhance appreciation for the unique ecosystem of the Lençóis Maranhenses and its resilience to periodic rainfall.