Giant Crystals found in cave.

[Easy Bakes 253]

In Mexico

 

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/crystal-giants/shea-text

 

National Geographic channel special on monday Nov 17th


So awesome.

[Duke87 1,070]

Trippy.

I suppose it would be too much to ask that the cave be re-flooded to preserve those things, huh?

[jacqulina 162]

wow thats interesting i wonder what will be done with this find,i agree with duke

[Meg 368]

wow.  That is trippy.

I hope they can protect it.  Although that whole bit about lava underneath it doesn't sound promising.

[your_adress_here 11]

Holy crap. I have to agree with previous statements: that is trippy.

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: SkiGeek

I hope they can protect it.  Although that whole bit about lava underneath it doesn't sound promising.quote>

The lava underneath is what keeps it hot and allowed the crystals to form.

The problem is that they were submerged in mineral-rich water, which was both the source of their formation and assisting in preserving them. When the water was drained, the effect of buoyancy providing some support was lost, and they became exposed to the air, which potentially leads to at least the surfaces of them degrading.

I'm telling you, the only way to really protect it is to put the water back. Problem is, I don't know if that could be done without also flooding currently active parts of the mine... and it would render the crystals much less accessible. You'd need scuba gear. Although that might actually make the visit more comfortable. Water has a large tendency to absorb heat. It always feels colder than it is (which is why a swimming pool or the beach provides such relief on a hot summer day). You can freeze to death in 50 degree water. 112 degrees is pretty freaking hot for air, but the hot water in your bathtub is hotter than that.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: Duke87

Originally posted by: SkiGeek

I hope they can protect it.  Although that whole bit about lava underneath it doesn't sound promising.quote>

The lava underneath is what keeps it hot and allowed the crystals to form. quote>

True.  I'm just hoping it stays underneath and doesn't start moving upwards.  Lava isn't the most stable stuff around.

  I'm telling you, the only way to really protect it is to put the water back. Problem is, I don't know if that could be done without also flooding currently active parts of the mine... and it would render the crystals much less accessible. You'd need scuba gear. Although that might actually make the visit more comfortable. Water has a large tendency to absorb heat. It always feels colder than it is (which is why a swimming pool or the beach provides such relief on a hot summer day). You can freeze to death in 50 degree water. 112 degrees is pretty freaking hot for air, but the hot water in your bathtub is hotter than that.quote>

True.  Take a lot of pictures.  Take a lot of movies.   Flood it again.  Use scuba gear.

Works for me.  But, as you say,  we don't know if it would work for the miners.

[Explodingsims 3]

Wow. Those are some huge crystals!

I have to agree with the people above me though, re-flood it to preserve them.

[Hahayoudied 3]

Now if someone broke in and attempted to steal those crystals...

[Eastwinn 6]

Originally posted by: Hahayoudied Now if someone broke in and attempted to steal those crystals...quote>

 

They'd need one very large saw!

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: Eastwinn

Originally posted by: Hahayoudied Now if someone broke in and attempted to steal those crystals...quote>

 

They'd need one very large saw!quote>

Or maybe just a few Squeeze Bombs.

Don't get it? Go play Megaman X8.

[Heblem 600]

Didn't know about it, in what state it was found?

[Easy Bakes 253]

Chihuahua, Mexico

[Easy Bakes 253]

Chihuahua, Mexico