That’s exactly what happened to a pair brothers as they were drilling hundreds of meters underground in a mine near Naica, Mexico in the spring of 2000. Eloy and Javier Delgado discovered a horseshoe-shaped cavity in the limestone, and once they had pumped out the water, the two were met with a fantastic wonderland containing the largest forest of free-standing crystals known to exist in the entire world.
It may have looked like a Hollywood movie set portraying an alien planet, but it was right here on Earth, a natural formation almost a thousand feet below ground. News of the phenomenal geological treasure spread rapidly, and scientists literally descended on the unbelievable site, dubbing it the Cave of the Crystals or the Giant Crystal Cave, and with good reason. The enormous structures are composed entirely of translucent Gypsum (Selenite), with the largest crystal measuring in at nearly 40 feet long, weighing an estimated 55 tons.
Conditions in the cave were brutal, with temperatures hovering around 136 degrees and humidity reaching 99%. Even wearing specialized suits, researchers could only remain in the cavern for around 30 minutes at a time. Unfortunately, any samples of the crystals from this specialized environment would quickly deteriorate if brought up to the surface.
Interested in the prospect of visiting the Giant Crystal Cave one day? Don’t get too excited, the mining company ceased pumping operations in February of 2017, and the cavern is once again flooded with hot, mineral rich water. But don’t worry, even if you can’t be there in person, there are a few excellent documentaries available about this geological masterpiece.
It’s the Giant Crystal Cave in Naica, Mexico, another Amazing Tale of Geology brought to you by Rockhounding USA. Check out our other videos in this and other series.
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