wordS: Lucy foSter photographS: getty imageS/NatioNaL geographic creative
Notebook
geology
“She’s right. I really should
defrost the fridge more often”
Journey to the centre of the Earth
Mexico’s Crystal Cave is
a mix of glowing crystals
and temperatures of 60C
mining deep into the earth’s
crust isn’t a pleasant process.
But mexican silver-ore seekers,
brothers Juan and pedro
Sanchez, enjoyed some
payback in 2000 when they
drilled into this cave, exposing
the largest naturally formed
crystals ever found. and while
the cueva de los cristales
(crystal cave) is inhospitable to
humans and has been seen only
by the bravest of geologists, the
fight is on to keep the cave open
and the floodwaters at bay.
the 30ft x 90ft cave is
1,000ft down in the Naica mine,
north mexico, and became
a nursery for huge selenite
crystals (some 50ft long)
thanks to mineral-rich
water and scorching heat
from magma pockets three
miles below.
the water has since been
pumped out, leaving explorers
to wander the caves, but only
with the correct equipment; the
hot air hits the cooler surface
of your lungs causing fluids to
condense, which could drown
you, so a refrigerated body
suit and breathing apparatus
are essential.
the unfathomable 60c heat
has also been known to cause
The cave is inhospitable and has been
seen only by the bravest of geologists
Your first news
port of call
The Wampa vowed not
to make the same mistakes
he made with Luke
hallucinations and some visitors
have started to glow – although
this is most likely due to the
reflective light from the crystals
– so tours don’t often last
beyond 10 minutes. however,
the expense of constantly
pumping out water and a lack
of money-spinning tricks means
continued access to the cave
is in question. So marvel while
you can.
www.ShortLiSt.com / 9
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