Undertoad Radical Centrist

Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,292

March 21, 2007: Giant crystal cave in Mexico

(c) Javier Trueba / Madrid Scientific Films /





Yes, it's another of those images too wide for your browser. But I had to keep these sized

like this, because you wanted to see the large version. You know you did.



It's another axlrosen submittal, which was also









(c) Javier Trueba / Madrid Scientific Films /



The complete explanation comes from



Quote: The crystal cavern was discovered within the same limestone body that hosts

the silver-zinc-lead ore bodies exploited by the mine. The cavern was probably

dissolved by the same hydrothermal fluids that deposited the metals with the gypsum

being crystallized during the waning stages of mineralization. The crystals probably grew

relatively quickly to their immense size within a completely liquid-filled cavern.



They're working to document this place, but it's difficult, because it stays 125-150

degrees F (50-65 degrees C) and stays at 100% humidity. So, just when you thought this

place was eerie enough, back to the explanation:

Quote: In April 2000, brothers Juan and Pedro Sanchez were drilling a new tunnel when they made

a truly spectacular discovery. While Naica miners are accustomed to finding crystals, Juan and

Pedro were absolutely amazed by the cavern that they found. The brothers immediately informed

the engineer in charge, Roberto Gonzalez. Ing. 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 soon

installed an iron door to protect the find. Later, one of the workers, with the intention of

stealing crystals, managed to get in through a narrow hole. He tried to take some plastic bags

filled with fresh air inside, but the strategy didn't work. He lost consciousness and later was

found thoroughly baked.

(c) Javier Trueba / Madrid Scientific Films / (c) Javier Trueba / Madrid Scientific Films / madridsf@gmail.com Yes, it's another of those images too wide for your browser. But I had to keep these sizedlike this, because you wanted to see the large version. You know you did.It's another axlrosen submittal, which was also Boing Boing'd . The shots at the site BB links to have extreme JPEG compression issues. Snooping around for better ones, only Snopes message board had clearer original photos.(c) Javier Trueba / Madrid Scientific Films / madridsf@gmail.com The complete explanation comes from here No I don't understand it either. But it's gypsum.They're working to document this place, but it's difficult, because it stays 125-150degrees F (50-65 degrees C) and stays at 100% humidity. So, just when you thought thisplace was eerie enough, back to the explanation:(c) Javier Trueba / Madrid Scientific Films / madridsf@gmail.com