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'''Cueva de los Cristales''' ('''Cave of the Crystals''') is a [[cave]] connected to the [[Naica Mine]] in [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]], [[Mexico]]. The main chamber contains giant [[Selenite (mineral)|selenite]] [[crystals]], some of the largest natural crystals ever found.<ref> {{ cite web |first=Stefan |last=Lovgren |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/070406-giant-crystals.html |title=Giant Crystal Cave's Mystery Solved |work=National Geographic News |date=April 6, 2007 | accessdate=2009-06-12}}</ref> The cave's largest crystal found to date is {{Convert| |
'''Cueva de los Cristales''' ('''Cave of the Crystals''') is a [[cave]] connected to the [[Naica Mine]] {{Convert|1000|ft|abbr=off}} in [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]], [[Mexico]]. The main chamber contains giant [[Selenite (mineral)|selenite]] [[crystals]], some of the largest natural crystals ever found.<ref> {{ cite web |first=Stefan |last=Lovgren |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/070406-giant-crystals.html |title=Giant Crystal Cave's Mystery Solved |work=National Geographic News |date=April 6, 2007 | accessdate=2009-06-12}}</ref> The cave's largest crystal found to date is {{Convert|36|ft|abbr=on}} in length, {{Convert|13|ft|abbr=on}} in diameter and 55 tons in weight. The cave is about {{Convert|90|ft|abbr=on}} in length and {{Convert|30|ft|0|abbr=on}} in width. The cave is extremely hot with air temperatures reaching up to {{Convert|112|F}} with 90 to 100 percent humidity. The cave is relatively unexplored due to the extreme temperatures and high humidity. Without proper protection people can only endure approximately ten minutes of exposure at a time.<ref> {{ cite web |first=Neil |last=Shea |url=http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/crystal-giants/shea-text |title=Crystal palace | work=National Geographic Magazine |date=November 2008 | accessdate=2009-06-12}}</ref> |
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While Naica miners are accustomed to finding crystals, in April 2000, brothers Juan and Pedro Sanchez were drilling a new tunnel when they made the discovery. The brothers immediately informed the engineer in charge, Roberto Gonzalez. [Engineer] Gonzalez realized that they had discovered a natural treasure and quickly rerouted the tunnel. During this phase some damage was done as several miners tried to remove pieces of the mega-crystals, so the mining company installed a steel door to protect the cave. |
While Naica miners are accustomed to finding crystals, in April 2000, brothers Juan and Pedro Sanchez were drilling a new tunnel when they made the discovery. The brothers immediately informed the engineer in charge, Roberto Gonzalez. [[Engineer]] Gonzalez realized that they had discovered a natural treasure and quickly rerouted the tunnel. During this phase some damage was done as several miners tried to remove pieces of the mega-crystals, so the mining company installed a steel door to protect the cave. |
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==Formation of the crystals== |
==Formation of the crystals== |
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Revision as of 15:05, 11 January 2010
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| Cueva de los Cristales (Cave of the Crystals) | |
|---|---|
| File:Caveofcrystals.jpg A man standing in the cave. | |
| Location | Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico |
| Coordinates | 27°51′3″N 105°29′47″W / 27.85083°N 105.49639°W |
| Translation | Cave of the Crystals (Spanish) |
Cueva de los Cristales (Cave of the Crystals) is a cave connected to the Naica Mine 1,000 feet (300 metres) in Chihuahua, Mexico. The main chamber contains giant selenite crystals, some of the largest natural crystals ever found.[1] The cave's largest crystal found to date is 36 ft (11 m) in length, 13 ft (4.0 m) in diameter and 55 tons in weight. The cave is about 90 ft (27 m) in length and 30 ft (9 m) in width. The cave is extremely hot with air temperatures reaching up to 112 °F (44 °C) with 90 to 100 percent humidity. The cave is relatively unexplored due to the extreme temperatures and high humidity. Without proper protection people can only endure approximately ten minutes of exposure at a time.[2]
While Naica miners are accustomed to finding crystals, in April 2000, brothers Juan and Pedro Sanchez were drilling a new tunnel when they made the discovery. The brothers immediately informed the engineer in charge, Roberto Gonzalez. Engineer Gonzalez realized that they had discovered a natural treasure and quickly rerouted the tunnel. During this phase some damage was done as several miners tried to remove pieces of the mega-crystals, so the mining company installed a steel door to protect the cave.
Formation of the crystals
Naica lies on an ancient fault and there is an underground magma chamber below the cave. The magma heated the ground water and it became saturated with minerals, including large quantities of gypsum. The hollow space of the cave was filled with this mineral rich hot water and remained filled for about 500,000 years. During this time, the temperature of the water remained very stable at over 50°C. This allowed microscopic crystals to form and grow. They continued to grow to immense sizes.[3]
References
- ^ Lovgren, Stefan (April 6, 2007). "Giant Crystal Cave's Mystery Solved". National Geographic News. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
- ^ Shea, Neil (November 2008). "Crystal palace". National Geographic Magazine. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
- ^ www.stormchaser.ca
External links
- Discovery Channel - Crystal Cave photos
- Canyons World Wide
- Crystal Cave of Giants
- thecrystalgiants.com
 | This article about a location in the Mexican state of Chihuahua is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |