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
- Lana M.about 14 yearsThe caves are extremely hot. Because of the humidity level there, you have to wear gas masks and don protective suits. Despite this and the the fact that is takes 20 min. to get underground, people are drawn to the beautiful crystals that have grown there. Some of the tallest crystals are 37 ft. tall, and are clear or rose colored. They weigh 55 TONS!!! The most weight a bridge I know can carry is 10 tons. That is over 5 times as much! Most of them are gypsum. They look like ice, yet it is about 112 degrees fahrenheit in the cave. In my opinion, these wonderful crystals are nature's masterpiece. P.S. The video in this article doesn't work because "the uploader has closed their YouTube account."
- Shayne C.about 14 yearsI have never seen crystals like this! The reason why these crystals are so big is because of the heat inside the cave. The cave's temperature is 112 degrees F. Also the crystals are 37ft long and weigh 55 pounds. I didn't know that if you are in the cave for ten minutes without a oxygen tank you can suffocate. I never even knew crystals can be this big!
- Jakob.Tabout 14 yearsThe caves are shiny. They have large and small crystals. There are gems from a volcano. The caves need water to survive. The crystals can grow up to 37 ft long and can weigh up to 55 tons. These crystals have over 170 of the largest crysals. The crystals are so big because of the heat. The caves reminds me of the walls closing in.
- Klavdiaabout 14 yearsThese crystals are very fascinating, they are not like any other in the world. These cave crystals contain over 170 of the largest crystals. They are about 37 ft long and weigh over 55 pounds.The cave is filled with shiny ice-like crystals jutting from the cave sides and floor. These crystals are so big because of the heat inside of the cave. The cave crystals remind me of white laser beams shooting across of the cave walls and floors.
- Jolie F.about 14 yearsThe caves need hot air and water to survive. They also can grow up to 35 feet long and 55 tons. They also are very shiny.
- Jolie F.about 14 yearsThe caves are really cool. It's amazing to see how they grow. They need really hot air they also need water in order to survive. They are also very shiny. Their most important characteristics are how big they grow. They can grow up to 35 feet long and wiegh 55 tons.
- Ryan.Cabout 14 yearsThe crystal caves of Mexico and Chihuahua are so outstanding in characteristics and design. First the characteristics : They are small gems from a volcano, humongous crystal sizes, and produce steaming hot temperatures. The design of the crystals are like tiny buildings in weight because they are 5 tons.The crystals are works of art from underground because they are so pretty and huge. This was what I learned about the crystals in characteristics and design. I hope scientists find more crystal caves so we could see more amazing crystals.
- Ella Z.about 14 yearsThis cave is amazing! The unusual crystal formations are belived to be created from volcanic activity that happened 26 million years ago. The caves temperature is 112 deeges F. The cave is 1000ft undergroud inside a cave. The longest crystal is 37ft! Part of this amazing cave is The Cave of Swords, this cave has small crystals that come out of the wall and that look like swords. This cave is amazing!
- Michael Mabout 14 yearsThese caves are one of the most fasinating things I've ever read about. Some of the most important properties are they are located 1,000 feet below the Noica Moutains in Chihuahua Mexico. Some of the Crystals are 37 feet long. They need extreme heat to grow. That explains that they must of been there for a while to het so big. The Crystals were once submerged in hot water a long time ago. That also contributed to there massive size.
- James L.about 14 yearsThe caves really fascinate me how they were created from volcanic activity. If I was in a cave like that, I would feel like their were spears pointing at me because of the way that the beams of crystal jut out of the wall in many different directions. It must be extremely hot in their with all the humidity. It is also amazing that the longest is 37. I wonder how they know that it weighs 55 tons if they can't take i out and weigh it. This must be very exciting to explore, but what if someone slipped on a beam and fell...