Pruned: The Giant Crystal Caves of Naica

“The largest natural crystals on Earth have been discovered in two caves within a silver and zinc mine near Naica, in Chihuahua, Mexico,” a Discovery News article reprinted here tells us. “Reaching lengths of over 20 feet, the clear, faceted crystals are composed of selenite, a crystalline form of the mineral gypsum.”

If you're thinking of exploring the Naica caves, you might want to bring along your own climate controlled biosuit and an ample supply of oxygen as the temperatures inside are an unbearable 150˚F with 100% humidity. It will be like walking into a blast furnace. One death has already been recorded, that of a miner trying to steal some of the crystals: “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.”

There are now plans to air-condition the caves.

(All photographs © Javier Trueba/Madrid Scientific Films. More info and photos via this Wikipedia entry. Spotted at Boing Boing.)

Labels: mines, subterranean

18 Comment(s)

WindWhisperer said...: ( March 19, 2007 8:54:00 PM CDT ); Those are incredible pictures. I've never seen crystals so big...
Superman said...: ( March 19, 2007 9:10:00 PM CDT ); dammit. they found my hiding place!lbz
Adagios said...: ( March 20, 2007 9:26:00 AM CDT ); I don't think they can air-condition the caves. I read in Nat Geo that the crystals fall apart if the conditions change.
Anonymous said...: ( March 20, 2007 2:59:00 PM CDT ); On YouTube: Cristales Gigantes de Naica, Chihuahua
Anonymous said...: ( March 22, 2007 12:15:00 AM CDT ); Those guys need to leave Superman's secret lair like right now, they are totally not allowed in there.
ellroon said...: ( March 25, 2007 4:07:00 PM CDT ); So. When they air condition the place, the crystals will dissolve or fall apart....
buiksloot said...: ( April 9, 2007 3:47:00 PM CDT ); Very "The Core". Neat-o
Anonymous said...: ( April 19, 2007 5:16:00 PM CDT ); thanks so much for this excallent blog! dont ever stop.... the crystal cave made my day.... and your slant is always spot on!

dataisnature
Javier Trueba / Madrid Scientific Films said...: ( April 28, 2007 3:48:00 PM CDT ); Note Of Infringment

I am the photographer and author of the infringed work detailed below appearing in the pruned.blogspot.com website at blogger.com
I have a good faith belief that the reported use is not authorized by me, the copyright and intellectual property owner, my agents or the law. I state, under penalty of perjury, that the information contained in this notice is accurate and that i am the copyright and intellectual property owner of the infringed work. The infringed work relating to photographs of the Cueva de los Cristales, Naica, Mexico. ( Cave of the Crystals, Naica, Mexico) infringed work at pruned.blogspot.com http://pruned.blogspot.com/2007/03/giant-crystal-caves-of-naica.html

/Javier Trueba/
Javier Trueba
MADRID SCIENTIFIC FILMS
C/ Halconería - 22
28691 - Villanueva de la Cañada
Madrid - Spain (0034) 91-8162167
madridsf@gmail.com

If you wont maintain this photograph of Giant crystal cave in
Mexico in your web you most credited:

(c) Javier Trueba / Madrid Scientific Films / madridsf@gmail.com

There are not public photographs.

Best regards

Javier Trueba
MADRID SCIENTIFIC FILMS
C/ Halconería - 22
28691 - Villanueva de la Cañada
Madrid - Spain Tel. (00 34) 91 816 2167
Móvil. (00 34) 659 473847
E-mail: madridsf@gmail.com
www.atapuerca.tv
Anonymous said...: ( July 26, 2007 5:05:00 PM CDT ); i think maybe you should wonder what might happen if you air condition some part of another layer of earth... im not a climate junky but now is a good time to think before we do things. another comment kinda on topic, you would all be interested to look up information that the earth is growing outwards, was cool to learn about it.
- marc
Ron Paul 08
Anonymous said...: ( January 29, 2008 10:19:00 PM CST ); How much longer do you think mother earth will continue to support us, when we continually abuse her? Actually, this looks like rape to me.
Gary Sale said...: ( April 2, 2008 11:00:00 AM CDT ); These are great I have never seen crystals this big before.
Ayn said...: ( October 2, 2008 8:59:00 PM CDT ); Doesn't it blow your mind that these were discover NOW-I mean so that all of us, right here right now could see them? Not 150 years ago when there was no photography or 150 years from now when we're not here to see it , but right now?!?
Anonymous said...: ( October 9, 2008 6:24:00 AM CDT ); looks like u better give credit to the people who actually took the pictures, if u want to avoid a lawsuit of copyright infringement
Alexander Trevi said...: ( October 9, 2008 6:56:00 AM CDT ); Did you not notice the part of the post where we DID credit the photographs?
Anonymous said...: ( October 14, 2008 11:07:00 AM CDT ); When I first saw the photos on the Nat Geo show my first thought was-It's a giant geode!
Anonymous said...: ( October 20, 2008 12:09:00 AM CDT ); ley me tell you about the guy bitchin his copyrights of the pictures ,Im from chihuahua city and theres a tons of pictures of this caves in naica [in case you dont know]this site is to show people about the caves thats all ,they re not asking for money $$$ you re not the only one with this kind of pictures
from my own town ....gabriel.. chihuahua chih. mx
Anonymous said...: ( April 24, 2009 12:58:00 PM CDT ); What about arranging for the descent into the caves with a type of mobile tethered and insulated bathysphere, similar to that used in oceanic diving. This would allow visitors a safe view of these great wonders of the universe and allow the natural environment to be basically unaltered. Or simply use navigable robotic cameras. After all the possible photographs are taken then zip the caves back up and forever return them to nature.

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