By Amanda Froelich Truth Theory
Nearly twenty years ago, miners made an incredible discovery in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico. Approximately 980 feet (300 meters) below the ground, there is a hidden cave that houses some of the world’s largest — and most beautiful — crystals ever found. It’s called the Giant Crystal Cave — or Cave of Crystals, and it’s approximately 500,000 years old.
BBC reports that the natural wonder is located below the Naica Mine. Untouched for thousands of years before it was discovered, the cave contains jaw-dropping crystals that are mammoth in size compared to the humans who enter the area. Some selenite crystals measure up to 39 feet (12 meters) in length!
While the cave is glorious to behold, it is also a hostile environment. At times, temperatures can reach up to 136 degrees Fahrenheit (59 degrees Celsius), and humidity reaches over 90 percent. This is an ideal environment for the crystals to thrive, but is unsuitable for humans and animals.
After the cave was discovered, the mining company pumped water out of the cavern so scientists could study and document the mineral formations. Now, it is flooded once again. This is a positive development, actually, as air causes the crystals to deteriorate.
Why is the cave so warm, and how were the crystals formed?
Reportedly, the cave is located above an underground magma chamber. For years, the magma heated groundwater to levels where it became saturated with minerals. As temperatures stabilized, the crystals grew to record sizes.
The Cave of Crystals has been a focus of study for scientists and researchers since 2001. Even though it flooded in 2017, researchers are still working in the cavern.
Thanks to Dr. Penelope Boston of NASA’s Astrobiology Institute, dormant microbes in the crystals have been isolated and revived. As MyModernMet reports, “It’s an extraordinary discovery, as the microbes are at least 10,000 years old, and possibly up to 50,000.”
Dr. Boston told the BBC, “Other people have made longer-term claims for the antiquity of organisms that were still alive, but in this case these organisms are all very extraordinary—they are not very closely related to anything in the known genetic databases.”
To gain better comprehension, the researchers will continue studying the microbes. Their findings may help us learn how certain organisms thrive underground in the absence of light and, as a result, propel our understanding of how other species may thrive elsewhere in the universe.
Watch the video below to learn more:
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Written by: Amanda Froelich
I'm an RHN, plant-based chef, freelance writer with 6+ years of experience, Reiki master therapist, world traveler and enthusiast of everything to do with animal rights, sustainability, cannabis and conscious living. I share healthy recipes at Bloom for Life and cannabis-infused treats at Read More stories by Amanda Froelich
https://truththeory.com/2017/09/25/cave-mexico-houses-worlds-largest-beautiful-crystals/
