Accidentally Discovering a Giant’s Treasure Trove: Exploring Mexico’s Crystal Caves

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel Life Network Editorial Department Compilation Report
 

In 2000, two Mexican miners accidentally discovered a cave that looked like an alien world while digging an underground tunnel. The cave was filled with numerous and massive crystal pillars, the largest of which reached up to 11 meters in length and weighed 55 tons—an astonishing sight.

The Naica Crystal Cave is a horseshoe-shaped limestone cavern approximately 10 meters wide and 30 meters long—close to the size of a basketball court. It lies nearly 300 meters deep beneath the Naica Mine in Mexico’s Chihuahua Desert, making it the world’s largest underground crystal cave. The crystals grew at an extremely slow rate of 0.02 mm per year due to being in a high-temperature environment rich in mineral-rich water over a long period. It took one hundred thousand years for the crystals to grow as tall as ten meters.

Most of the crystals found in the cave are square-shaped and relatively softer compared to typical crystals. These stunning crystals can reach heights of up to 11 meters and grow at irregular angles. The cave is divided into two main areas, with the shape of the crystal pillars varying based on their proximity to the magma—coming in both square and pillar-like forms. Although photos make it seem cool, the cave is actually very close to underground magma, resulting in extremely high temperatures of around 58°C and humidity levels nearing 100%. Staying inside for just ten minutes can be life-threatening, so those wishing to enter must wear specially designed cooling suits and even carry heavy air-cooling devices on their backs.