FW: Crystal Cave of the Giants - Discovery of the Largest Crystals on Earth

Crystal Cave of the Giants

In what has proved to be the discovery of the largest known crystals on earth, work is underway to document and preserve this historic find. While some minor damage has already occurred in the primary cave and a secondary cavern, called Cave of Dreams, iron doors have been installed by the Peñoles company to prevent damage to the giant, magnificent crystals. While investigations are underway the mine is closed, but with the newly installed lighting system, it is expected to open in the fall 2001.



Found deep in a mine in southern Chihuahua Mexico, these crystals were formed in a natural cave totally enclosed in bedrock. When I first stepped into the cavern it was like walking into the Land of the Giants. I have often admired crystal geodes held in my hand, but when photographing these unique natural structures it was almost impossible to get any sense of scale. This is a geode full of spectacular crystals as tall as pine trees, and in some cases greater in circumference. They have formed beautiful crystals that are a translucent gold and silver in color, and come in many incredible forms and shapes. Some of the largest are essentially columnar in shape and stand thirty to fifty feet high and three to four feet in diameter. Many of the smaller examples are four to six feet in circumference, have many incredible geometrical shapes, and probably weigh in excess of ten tons. The columnar pillars are at first the most striking shape, but later I noticed there were thousands of "sharks teeth" up to three feet high placed row upon row and dispersed at odd angles throughout the caverns. While some of the crystals are attached to the ceiling walls and floors of the cave as might be expected, some exist in great masses of spikes and almost float in air. These crystals seem to defy gravity, as they must weigh several tons.

The crystal cavern was discovered within the same limestone body that hosts the silver-zinc-lead ore bodies exploited by the mine. The cavern was probably dissolved by the same hydrothermal fluids that deposited the metals with the gypsum being crystallized during the waning stages of mineralization. The crystals probably grew relatively quickly to their immense size within a completely liquid-filled cavern.

Selenite, the gypsum crystal, named after the Greek goddess of the moon due to its soft white light, is said to have many metaphysical and healing benefits. Selenite powder has been used cosmetically for thousands of years to enhance one's natural beauty. It is believed that this crystal assists with mental focus, growth, luck, immunity, and soothes the emotions. It is unquestionably magical that the cool white rays of moonlight can originate deep underground in a black chamber that is, at least in my perception, white hot.

The Naica mine was first discovered by early prospectors in 1794 south of Chihuahua City. They struck a vein of silver at the base of a range of hills called Naica by the Tarahumara Indians. The origin in the Tarahumara language seems to mean "a shady place". Perhaps here in the small canyon there was a grove of trees tucked away by a small canyon spring.

From the discovery until about 1900, the primary interest was silver and gold. Around 1900 large-scale mining began as zinc and lead became more valuable.
the famous Cave of Swords was discovered at a depth of 400 feet. Due to the incredible crystals, it was decided to try to preserve this cave. While many of the crystals have been collected, this is still a fascinating cave to visit. In one part there are so many crystals on one of the walls, they appear to be like an underwater reef moving in a gentle undulating motion in an ocean current.

In April 2000, brothers Juan and Pedro Sanchez were drilling a new tunnel when they made a truly spectacular discovery. While Naica miners are accustomed to finding crystals, Juan and Pedro were absolutely amazed by the cavern that they found. The brothers immediately informed the engineer in charge, Roberto Gonzalez. Ing. Gonzalez realized that they had discovered a natural treasure and quickly rerouted the tunnel. During this phase some damage was done as several miners tried to remove pieces of the mega-crystals, so the mining company soon installed an iron door to protect the find. Later, one of the workers, with the intention of stealing crystals, managed to get in through a narrow hole. He tried to take some plastic bags filled with fresh air inside, but the strategy didn't work. He lost consciousness and later was found thoroughly baked.

When inside the great cathedral of crystals, the pressure of intense heat makes my feelings run up and down the emotional scale from shear religious awe to outright panic.
When I talk to professional geologists about crystals they tell me that these natural forms are incredibly complex, yet so simple. They have a magical or metaphysical personality independent of their chemical structures. These geologists have explained to me that there is a magma chamber two to three miles below the mountain and that heat from this compressed lava travels through the faults up into the area of the mine. Super heated fluids carry the minerals the miners are seeking as well as form the crystals. The mine is ventilated; otherwise, it could not be worked.
When describing the crystal formation the geologists' eyes light up with a special emotional fascination. They tell how the fluids travel along the Naica fault, enter voids in the bedrock, and then form entirely natural structures that are not easily explained by science.

Thanks goes to. Roberto Gonzales and Ing. Roberto Villasuso, of the Pe¤oles Mining Company and Sonia Estrada and Carlos Lazcano for contributions to this text and photographs.

A Judgement

In a small town in India, a person decided to open a Bar and Restaurant right opposite to a temple.

The temple committee and its congregation started a campaign to prevent the opening of the Bar with petitions to the authorities and prayed daily to God to see the work on the Bar building did not progress.

However, when it was almost complete and was about to be opened, a strong lightning struck the Bar building and it was burnt down.

The temple folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, till the Bar owner sued the temple authorities on the ground that the temple committee, through its congregation and prayers, was ultimately responsible for the destruction of the Bar building, either directly or indirectly.

In its reply to the court, the temple vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection between the prayers and the destruction of the building.

As the case made its way, the judge looked over the written statements at the hearing and commented:

"I don't know how I'm going to decide this case. But it appears from the records that we have a Bar owner who believes in the power of prayer and we have an entire temple committee and its devotees who do not believe in the power of prayer."

Now let me add: There was in India a Sanyasi living in his hermitage in the outskirts of a small town. He would go out for alms after performing his morning ablution and puja and return in the evening. His hermitage was right opposite to a brothel where the single woman would dress up in her best finery and receive her customers.

After many years, the Sanyasi died certain in his heart that angels would receive him in the heavens. Sadly, he was taken to hell. After a few years he heard that the prostitute who lived in the opposite house had died and thought she was sure to be in the Hell too.

To his surprise even after many days he could not find her in hell. He decided to ask Yama, the Lord of hell, the whereabouts of the prostitute.

Yama told the Sanyasi that he had left her in heaven as per Lord Indra's command. Unable to believe this perfidy, the Sanyasi approached Indra for throwing a man of God like him to hell while a sinner like the prostitute welcomed to heaven.

Lord Indra threw his benign smile at the Sanyasi and explained: "You Sanyasi, you were always indulging in voyeur with that prostitute after your prayers while that prostitute after her sinful act would offer prayers to God seeking forgiveness of her sins. Now go back to where you really belong and the prostitute will be here in heaven where she rightfully belongs. Though your lips prayed, your mind was always full of that prostitute and sex. In contrast, though that prostitute was indulging in sinful sexual act, her mind was always full of God and repentance."

Well, well, now I know why the other Sanyasis living on earth wish to go to heaven !