The Cave of the Crystals is a natural marvel in Chihuahua, Mexico. Its main chamber houses some of the largest natural crystals ever discovered, hence the name. The magma within makes the cave unbearably hot and humid, and thus it remains largely unexplored. Nevertheless, this subterranean spectacle is unquestionably one of the world’s most remarkable displays of natural mineral formations.
Cave of the Crystals Facts
The Cave of the Crystals is connected to the Naica Mine, 300m (980 ft.) below the ground in Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico. Despite the Naica Mine having been worked for centuries, the Cave of the Crystals remained undiscovered until the year 2000, when two miners, pursuing traces of silver, broke into the extensive subterranean chamber. Just days later, an iron door was erected in order to protect the entrance.
Whilst the cave is referred to singularly, as the ‘Cave of the Crystals’ (Cueva de los Cristales), it is in fact made up of three co-joined caves, with one far larger than the others.
This gigantic cavern is home to towering stacks of selenite; rising so tall that humans appear miniscule in comparison. In fact, the tallest crystals have been measured at 11m (36 ft.) high, weighing approximately 55 tonnes.
These giant crystals have experienced steady slow growth over the past half a million years. Approximately 2-3 miles (3-5km) under the surface is a giant pool of magma. The caverns became flooded over time as a result of groundwater seeping in. This water was rich in gypsum minerals, and the heat generated by the magma worked like a cooker, maintaining a steady heat for over 500,000 years. The gypsum in the water then transformed into the translucent selenite crystals that we see today. Whilst up until now the crystals have grown steadily and slowly, they will grow no further unless the cave floods once again.
Beneath the cave lies a pool of magma, rising up from the Earth’s core. This heat from this magma makes the cave unbearable for any substantial amount of time. In fact, no human can spend more than a mere few minutes inside the cave. Temperatures of 150°F (65.6°C) have been recorded in the main chamber, whilst the smaller caverns are slightly cooler at 100°F (37.8°C). To add an extra layer of danger, conditions are close to 100% relative humidity.
The story of a miner who managed to bypass the protective iron door illustrates the aforementioned risks perfectly. Despite knowing the risks, he had entered the chamber with plastic bags filled with air. This, he hoped, would buy himself enough time to enter and steal some of the precious crystals within. Alas, the man was found dead the next day; cooked, as though he were food in an oven.
The Naica mine is still active, and should you wish to visit, it is possible to do so with prior approval. However, bear in mind that only the upper caverns are available for access (under supervision), with the lower caverns currently considered too dangerous due to extreme temperatures. Only scientists and employees are able to access these prohibited areas.
It’s such a shame that these mines are closed to the public. There doesn’t seem to be any way for a person to arrange a visit. Does anyone know if they can be visited?
Seems in February they announced that the mining operation quit pumping water from that area and the cave is now refilled with water.
The cave is now filled with lava
Umm..no. No it’s not. Not at all 🙄
Which is overall good because being exposed to open air deteriorates the crystals
I agree
hoi
You can try to bribe them. 🙂
Now we’re talking (sorry I responded so late, took a wrong turn)
idk
Too dangerous, from what I read.
VERY dangerous. Time is limited due to the chance of suffocation. I am sad I will never have the science degree to get the chance to see this amazing natural miracle.
ya’know you shouldn’t say never because you don’t know when the future might bring you😁
because the future will bring her a degree?
Well you can go, probably need some really heavy supervision and some kind of suit. You need to stay in the higher caves though
you need lots of cold equipment to stay alive for more than 10 minutes
Yes they can
it has several characteristics that makes it hard for humans being, such as being a really hot and humid, even scientist wearing special equipment can only be there for 40minutes at the most. Plus they are probably worried that if they do open it, tourists may destroy it
Oh yeah. I know someone who is sneaking in there with Air conditioned suits and stealing selenite from a pickaxe and garbage bags as I speak.
Sad we can’t go!
that is so cool
That is really awesome
These caves look amazing
yea they do and im stuck doing it for a project
Im doing a project for it too
same
bro i doing it for extra cred in school
me too
me three
me Four
me five
I wish there was one in Pennsylvania to go to for kids like me. I know my spelling is off.
Same, except I live in Florida now but I wish they did when I did live up there 🙁
You can go to Crystal Caves in Kutztown, PA. Not quite as spectacular but it’s local, you can take kids and you won’t die in there.
For those of you who like to see crystal formations in cavesI encourage you to visit some of our National and State parks. For example, in the Black Hills of South Dakota you’ll find two awesome caves. One is called Jewel Cave and the other is Wind Cave. There is also Carlsbad Cavern and Grand Canyon Caverns. All are accessible to humans.
Thank you for info
There also is Luray Caverns in VA and Dixie Cavern near Salem VA both of which are pretty awesome.
The heat and humidity are quite daunting. I’d rather let someone else risk their life and take video pictures.
i agree
what can we do there
Is there any information about its effects on the landmark? Please reply to me if there is (does not have to be from this website).
I bet there is you might have to check other websites though
These caves are so cool
I’m doing it as a project too
This world is NOT millions of years old!!!
it actually is.
You’re right: It’s billions of years old.
Earth is around five billion years old!
The world is actually only about 15,000 years old (and that is at the oldest). You can find the real story of our Earth in a really interesting book…its called the Bible. Just to prove my point. If the Earth was five Billion years old, then we wouldn’t be here today; because the oceans would be so full of salt that it wouldn’t sustain life. Oh, and the outer atmosphere (that people say is rapidly decaying already) would be gone, and we wouldn’t be able to breathe.
ummmmmm…if u think that the world was created 15,000 years ago, you must have failed every single one of your history and science classes. There is more proof out there saying the earth is older than 15,000 years, than in a holy bible. I’m a christian and even I know that the earth isn’t that young.
Step away from the bible! It was written before people understood science. It was written FOR people who were superstitious and uneducated. Religion was established to control the masses that didn’t want to live by rules that protected their clans and tribes.
I cant help but wonder if you are one that believes it is flat and man didn’t lsnd on the moon.
Are these people insane??? 15,000 years lol
Wtf? And why is that, so you think? That it’s not millions of years old considering there is literally proof of that …
there is proof that the world is no millions of years old and bible is scientific and true and then why did they and you people get so mad at us for are religion and get so defensive when we ask why you believe what you do. because truth dose not fear a challenge
These caves are AWSOME!
Dangerous place especially to take children..
It’s a great place to drop children off for the day.
I have to do this for a project but the caves are cool so it’s not to bad
Wow i’m doing it for a project as well did’t expect that to be the case with so many others
Who is the author of these pictures?
Does anyone know of a video of these caves? I need it for an online class.
k,Honestly this place is truly a wonderful place but in my opinion very dangerous too this is too risky especially for children under 12 as well as above if you where to go you would need to wear tons of equipment as well as prepare yourself for the worst
How long is the age of Cave of the Crystals?
26 MILLION years old. that’s almost older then my dad. lol
don’t you just love getting crushed by crystals
The cave is amazing
Quit dreaming of visiting and enjoy the photos. Too many people destroy places like this.
Cool place but why would you bring children????
It says it is toxic
There was a documentary several years ago. Try googling it.