[vnathan]

Buried a thousand feet (300 meters) below Naica mountain in the Chihuahuan Desert, the cave was discovered by two miners excavating a new tunnel for the Industrias Peñoles company in 2000.

The cave contains some of the largest natural crystals ever found: translucent gypsum beams measuring up to 36 feet (11 meters) long and weighing up to 55 tons.

"It's a natural marvel," said García-Ruiz, of the University of Granada in Spain.

To learn how the crystals grew to such gigantic sizes, García-Ruiz studied tiny pockets of fluid trapped inside.

The crystals, he said, thrived because they were submerged in mineral-rich water with a very narrow, stable temperature range—around 136 degrees Fahrenheit (58 degrees Celsius).

At this temperature the mineral anhydrite, which was abundant in the water, dissolved into gypsum, a soft mineral that can take the form of the crystals in the Naica cave.

[vnathan]

Water-clear selenite crystal "floater" from the Naica Mine.

Selenite "sword", 22.6 x 2.6 x 1.6 cm. A small version of the giant crystals, likely found in a natural cavity in the mine. Note the exceptional clarity of the crystal.

[collaredgirl65]

This place looks so cool. Would love to see it in person.

[Faline]

How cool to go wandering through there

[Flaka]

Those crystals are friggin huge
or is this fake?
the people look like ants next to those things

[vnathan]

It's real. And it's an active cave. By active I mean that the crystals are still growing. It's hot and humid down there, almost 50 degrees Celsius. Breathing down there is difficult. 15 minutes deep inside the cave can be fatal. That's why they are wearing gas masks and protective gear.

Reminds me of Superman's lair.

[MattyD]

Call me a cynic but first thing that came into my mind was the notion that human contact = destruction
Awesome post mate

[kellyhound]

awesome

[Faline]

More pics on this here, forgot i posted it lol:
http://www.documentingreality.com/fo...l-caves-84077/

[mwt77932]

Very nice pics. Would love to explore that cave.