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The photos on this page were sent to me by my Cousin-in-law Ann
and they were sent to them by a college friend of her husband's.
02/08/01- Discovery news The
largest natural crystals on Earth have been discovered in two
caves within a silver and zinc mine near Naica, in Chihuahua,
Mexico, according to mine officials. Reaching lengths of over 20
feet, the clear, faceted crystals are composed of selenite, a
crystalline form of the mineral gypsum. "Walking into either of
these caves is like stepping into a gigantic geode," said Richard D.
Fisher, an American consultant with the mining company to develop
the discoveries as tourist attractions. Fisher said that most people
can endure only a few minutes in the caves due to their high
temperatures. The smaller of the two, which is about the size of
two-bedroom apartment, is 100 Fahrenheit. The large chamber, which
Fisher describes as the size of a Cathedral, is 150 F. Both are
located approximately 1200 feet below the surface. The mining
company plans to air-condition the caves before opening them to the
public next year, Fisher said. He adds that reducing the heat
gradually will not harm the crystals.
The largest previously known crystals were found in the nearby
Cave of the Swords, part of the same mine system. Some of these are
now on display at the Smithsonian Institution. The local government
and mine owners hope to avoid removing any of the new discoveries
for museum displays or private collections, Fisher said. While the
mine company is currently limiting visitation of the caves to
scientific experts, mineral hunters have destroyed locks and broken
into the chambers twice since they were first opened by mining
equipment last April. One man was killed when he attempted to chop
out a gigantic crystal that fell from the ceiling and crushed him,
according to Fisher. "We need more onsite protection of mine
caves," said geologist Carol A. Hill, co-author of the book Cave
Minerals of the World, who calls the new discoveries "by far the
largest selenite crystals I have ever heard of." Hill applauds
the tourism plan. "Without it, the mining company would probably
destroy the caves. Museums have enough crystals," she said. "It's
important to preserve discoveries like this where they occur."
