The Crystal Caves Of Chihuahua
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The Mexican State of Chihuahua has become quite famous, thanks to its namesake dog. However, it is also home to one of the most amazing Crystal Caves - Unlike any other found in the world.
The cave is located in a working mine, 1000ft below the ground in the Naica mountain which lies in the Chihuahan desert. It was found in 2000 by two brothers, Juan and Pedro Sanchez, who were drilling a mining tunnel, when they stumbled upon it. Knowing they had found something quite amazing, the duo reported it to the engineer, who quickly re-routed the tunnel, so that the cave could be preserved.
Often called The Sistine Chapel of Crystals, the cave contains over 170 of the largest natural crystals ever found, with the tallest one measuring about 37 feet and weighing in excess of 55 tons. The entire cave is covered with the shiny ice-like crystal beams jutting from the cave sides, as well as the floor.
After years of research, scientists were able to solve the mystery of how the crystals here grew so large. The Naica Mountain was formed as a result of volcanic activity about 26 million years ago. The magma, saturated with a mineral called anhydrite dissolved with the gypsum (the mineral which the crystals are made of) to produce tiny crystals. Because the temperature in the cave is consistently warm and stable, the crystals thrived and grew to these amazing levels.
The ice-like crystals make these caves look deceptively cool. In reality the temperatures here exceed 112 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity is 80-90%. It is so warm that the mineworkers who visit, have to wear protective suits and carry backpacks of ice-cooled air. However, this and the fact that it takes twenty minutes to get to the caves, has not deterred would-be thieves from trying to steal some of the crystal. In order to preserve them, the authorities had to construct a thick-iron gate outside the caves.
Scientists believe that there are many other caves like this, just waiting to be discovered. Meanwhile we have the Cueva des los Christales or Cave of Crystals that definitely ranks amongst one of the most amazing natural wonders of the World today.
Sources: crystallnks.com, nationalgeographic.com
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99 Comments
- Patricealmost 14 yearsThe Mexico crystal the crystals are bigger then normal. They are the size of lamp post. And they are hanging from the side cave floor.
- Andreaalmost 14 yearsthese caves are cold. It takes 20 mins to get in the cave it self. contains 170 of the largest natural crystals .
- LidiaM.almost 14 yearsI think that the Mexico crystal caves crystals are bigger than The Crystal Caves of Chihuahua. The crystal caves of Mexico has the cave of swords. The crystal caves of Chihuahua has crystals the size of lamp posts. I can't believe that the cave is 112 degrees F. The crystals are hanging from all sides of the cave even the floor. I think the caves are so beautiful. I think the caves are wonderful.
- Joris Balmost 14 yearsI think it is very amazing that there is a cave full of crystals. There are a couple of different caves. One of the caves look like swords sticking out,queen's eye Cave which looks like a eye,candles mine cave with amazing crystal. There important characteristics are the are big and weigh a lot.
- Estelle B.almost 14 yearsThe crystal caves are a magical sight. The caves have many characteristics, but i think their most important characteristic is their height. All of their points and edges amaze me! They are mostly clear and pointy. I would definetly recommend this to a friend, I think they could learn more about how things can grow so much with little resources.
- Antonio Garciaabout 14 yearsThe caves are very beautiful but, no one ever knew about them. Then two of the Sanchez brothers discovered these caves. These caves right now are 112 degrees and that is very hot. It contains 170 large crystals. That are the caves of Chihuahua.
- D1@nTe C0l3m@Nabout 14 yearsmexico crsaly have the crystals coming out of the floor and wall. The crystals grew from a volcanic errupition. These crystals grew extremly lage. this cave has huge crystals too. And this cave was created by magma. But these crystals are bigger. These crystals are more jagged also.
- Andrew L.about 14 yearsThese crystals are huge!They got so big from volcanic activity 26 million years ago.It is really hot down there, you need to wear a special suit of ice to go down there for just a couple of minutes.During the volcanic activity magma saturated anhydrite ( a type of mineral) dissolved in gypsum. In parts of the cave there can be sharp jagged crystals,or there can be smooth soft cystals.
- Aly$$@ P.about 14 yearsOne of the charactaristcs are that it is REALLY HOT in the crystal caves.The white crystals look like HUGE ice cubes.Speaking of huge things,a giant crystal in the caves is 37 FEET LONG!How could that be possible!It is REALLY heavy too It weighs about 55 tons.WOW!
- Enoma E.about 14 yearsThe Caves of Crystals crystals' sizes range from small to large. They are whitish and sharp-looking. One of the most important characteristics of the crystals is that they seem to grow in clusters or singular. Heat is a very important factor of the crystals' growth. The reason is that if the cave wasn't kept at 112 F the crystals would not grow the same as the last time.