First published 1914 Coalcite Crystal Caves at Naica mine Santa Rosalia Chihuahua
Naica is a town in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. It is located in the municipality of Saucillo and reported a population of 4,775 in the 2005 INEGI is a mining town and the location of the renowned Naica Mine. The Naica Mine of the Mexican state of Chihuahua is a working mine that is best known for its extraordinary selenite crystals. Located in Naica in the municipality of Saucillo, the Naica Mine, a lead, zinc and silver mine operated by Industrias Peñoles, Mexico's largest lead producer. Caverns discovered during mining operations contain crystals of selenite (gypsum) as large as 4 feet ( m) in diameter and 50 feet (15 m) long. The Cave of Crystals (Cueva de los Cristales) is a cave approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) below the surface in the limestone host rock of the mine. The chamber contains giant selenite crystals, some of the largest natural crystals ever found.] The selenite crystals were formed by hydrothermal fluids emanating from the magma chambers below. The cavern was discovered while the miners were drilling through the Naica fault, which they were worried would flood the mine: The caves cannot be visited by the public.
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Photo credit: © SOTK2011 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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