Our Awesome World: The Crystal Caves
January 26th, 2008
Mexico is not often thought of as a place of breathtaking natural beauty—unless, of course, one is willing to look under the ground.
National Geographic News presents a stunning, literally awe-inspiring photogallery of Mexico’s Cueva de los Cristales (Cave of Crystals). The cavern system was discovered near the town of Delicias, Chihuahua, in 2000 by a mining operation who subsequently drained the caves to reveal gigantic gypsum crystals unlike any ever seen before.
But how did the crystals get so large? Simple!
[F]or millennia the crystals thrived in the cave’s extremely rare and stable natural environment. Temperatures hovered consistently around a steamy 136 degrees Fahrenheit (58 degrees Celsius), and the cave was filled with mineral-rich water that drove the crystals’ growth.
Fortunately for the delicate crystals, the caves will probably never become a tourist attraction, thanks to the fact that the crystals need to be maintained at a godawful 120+ degrees Fahrenheit in order to keep them from crumbling.
If anyone reading this wants to brave the searing heat to see the crystals for him- or herself, do give my regards to Juan Romero and wish him a happy transition.
Technorati Tags: national geographic,crystal caves,crystals,mexico,chihuahua,geology,gypsum,awesome
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Wicked cool.
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