Naica Crystal Cave

You’ve probably been in a cave before, perhaps while you were on holidays. But you have never seen anything as beautiful or awe-inspiring as the Naica Crystal Cave in Mexico. 

The mine in the north of Mexico is famous for its enormous crystal formations – the largest of those were only discovered in 2000, when two mineworkers stumbled upon a cave by accident. Unfortunately, conditions in the cave are lethal to humans, so you cannot visit it. But there are plans to make the cave accessible.

They were not too surprised, because there was an earlier cave like it, which was discovered in 1910 and named the Cave of Swords (Cueva de las Espadas). This one was also stunning, and had long been mined for the lead and iron ore in the ground.

The first cave that was discovered is 120 metres underground, and has a diameter of 80 metres. There were selenite crystals here of up to 2 metres long and about 25 centimetres wide. But this cave was mined aggressively, and there is nothing left of the crystals here.

But then the new cave was discovered: this one is 290 metres underground, and it is much larger than the first cave. It was a whole new world: the crystals in this cave reach up to 11 metres in length, 2 metres in diameter, and can weigh up to 55 tonnes.

Do note: this is a cave of extremes. You can’t visit it as its conditions are lethal to humans. Recently, a group of international scientists went to investigate: the average temperature is 48.8 degrees Celsius, and humidity is higher than 80%. This is one of the most dangerous caves in the world: without special protecting, you will not survive there for more than a few minutes. But that does mean there’s no need to worry that this cave will be overrun by tourists.

Juanma Garcia Ruiz of the Instituto Andaluz de Las Ciencias de la Tierra was one of the researchers who visited the cave. He thinks the caves should be much better protected and is trying to convince the Mexican government to have the caves of Naica placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. ‘It’s one of the absolute wonders of the world,’ says Ruiz.

The cave was named Cueva de Los Cristales (Cave of the Crystals) after its discovery and has a horseshoe shape. To protect this amazing cave and due to its deadly atmosphere, only researchers are allowed in. Though there are plans to make parts of the cave open to the public or to build a replica so people can see what it looks like.

More information: www.naica.com.mx