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
- Tanner Babout 14 yearsI think that the Cave of Crystals has some very interesting characteristics. It has an extremely hot temperature (112 degrees Fahrenheit) and great humidity. This is strange because the crystals look like they are made from ice. Another impressive fact is the length of a single crystal - 37 feet! The Cave of Crystals reminds me of a building under construction.
- Ambika S.about 14 yearsThe Cave of the Crystals has many magnificent characteristics. The caves were formed 1,000 feet below the surface. The temperature is 112 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity is 80% to 90%. The crystals have an icy appearance. However, the crystals are not made of ice, but they are actually made of gypsum and anhydrite. The Cave of Crystals is home to over 170 of the largest natural crystals ever found. The tallest crystal ever found measures to be about 37 feet and weighs more than 55 tons. In the cave the crystal structures appear from everywhere even the floor. These crystal structures would be an amazing thing to see.
- jiries f.about 14 yearsone of the characteristics of the caves are that the are very hot. The are very huge crystals the biggest one is 37 feet and weighs 55 tons. The crystal have been there for years when two brother were drilling and fond the crystals. The cave is 112 degrees f. People who go check it out have to were special cloths just to survive a few minutes.
- Robert.Jabout 14 yearsI think both of the caves are beautiful.They look very cool to touch and to see.I Iike the way thier shaped or curved,but theirs one thing that I don't like that it is so hot in these caves and their the biggest caves in the world.
- Vieniq R.about 14 yearsThe caves in Chihuahua are surprisingly huge. They also look like they could be very dangerous, if you fell on the tip of one. They look as if they grow in freezing temperatures, such as 10 degrees Farenheit, bt are oer 112 degrees! They sort-of look like ice. I would like to go down there, but it is way to hot and dangerous, considering the fact that I would only last a few minutes, just with the suit!
- Camryn H.about 14 yearsI really liked The Crystal Caves of Chihuahua. They look like very big pieces of ice. They also look sharp and pointy. The most important characteristics these crystals have are the size and the importance. The crystals can weigh up to 55 tons! These crystals are important because they are very fragile and they were found about 1,000 feet underground! I really enjoyed these articles.
- Christina Prizgintasabout 14 yearsI think it look very nice inside the cave but it is really hot so you have to wer special cloths so you dony get burnd so. Id like to see those crystals it wulod be very cool to see them they are verry verry big.Im amezd that a crystal can way that mush!
- Shyal C.about 14 yearsThe Chihuahua Caves look incredible. The temperature in the caves is 112 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidly is 80-90%. The caves are in a mine 1,000ft below the ground, and the crystals are very sharp and long. The largest crystal is 37ft and weighs 55 tons. The crystals grow everywhere in the cave and almost look like ice, but they are made out of gypsum and anhydrite. The cave formed 26 million years ago, but Juan and Pedro Sanchez did not find it until 2000.
- SabrinaChanderabout 14 yearsMexico’s Crystal Caves of Chihuahua, look like ice crystals, but really they are not ice or slippery. One characteristic of the cave is its extreme heat. It is 112 degrees Fahrenheit with 80 to 90% humidity. Also, the largest crystals could be as big as 37 feet and weigh 55 tons. The caves contain 170 crystals made from the minerals anhydrite and gypsum. This cave was discovered by accident by two brothers in 2000, but it began forming 26 million years ago under the earth. The Crystal Caves of Chihuahua are the most famous caves in Mexico.
- Vincent Wabout 14 yearsit looks like knives are sticking out. it has different colored crystals. they look like big icicle are on the roof and the floor.