The Crystal Caves Of Chihuahua
Language
Reading Level
Listen to Article
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
Cite Article
Geography
Learn Keywords in this Article
99 Comments
- Anthony L.about 14 yearsI like this article a lot! I like this article because there are giant crystals. In the cave there are a lot of crystals that have formed because of the hot water and air. Inside the cave the temperature reaches 112 degrees fahrenheit. And they are 1000ft below the earth.
- Maciek S.about 14 yearsMexico's Crystal Caves were discovered in 2000 when miners were digging a tunnel they accidently found a very big crystal cave.The cave is about 1000 ft underground and it is under the Naica Mountains.The temperature in this cave is 112 degrees fehrenheit.It was found by two brothers,Juan and Pedro Sanchez.This crystal cave has 170 of the largest crystals ever.The biggest one is 37 feet tall and weighs about 55 tons.This cave is located under the Nacia mountains which are in the Chihuahian desert.
- Jenningsabout 14 yearsThe Crystal Caves of Chihuahua are amazing. They look like huge diamonds shining in a dark cave. The important characteristics are that it is the only cave in the world that look like this and is home to the world's largest crystals. These crystal caves are truly amazing and should be preserved for the future.
- Agata M.about 14 yearsMexico's Crystal Caves was discovered accidently in 2000, by miners drilling a tunnel. The cave lies about 1000ft. below the surface of the Naica Mountains, two hours south of Chihuahua. It is home to 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 shiny-ice like beams emerge from all sides of the cave - even the floor! The Crystal Caves of Chihuahua was found in 2000 by two brothers, Juan and Pedro Sanchez, who were drilling a mining tunnel, when they stumbled upon it. The cave is located in a working mine, 1000ft below the ground in the Naica mountain which lies in the Chihuahuan desert.
- HARGLE FARGLEalmost 15 years=(
- trinket299about 15 yearsSo COOL!
- trinket299about 15 yearsWow! I can't belive that there are so many crystals in this cave! Whoever found this must be rich! Oh my gosh!
- Yabout 15 yearsWOW That is so beautiful, but it's so dangerous to do that and it looks really scary because if I was there (which I would not be because I'm not dangerous) I would be screaming and falling.
- bobabout 15 yearsi would love to mine in that shaft
- cat loverover 15 yearsUGH I WANT TO GO NOW I WANT CRYSTALS TOOO AND I LIKE CRYSTALS TOOO I WANT THAT HUGE CRYSTAL then im RICH!!!!