News.am — Hidden deep in the Sierra de Naica mountains in Chihuahua, Mexico, lies a cave that both fascinates and terrifies scientists. It is the Cave of the Crystals, discovered only in 2000 and located about 300 meters below the Earth's surface. This underground chamber, measuring 30 by 10 meters, is covered with enormous selenite gypsum crystals. The largest crystal reaches a height of 11.4 meters and weighs about 12 tons, six times the average human height.
But this beauty is extremely dangerous. Inside the cave, the temperature is constantly around 58 degrees Celsius, and humidity reaches 99 percent. Without special protective gear, staying there for just 10 minutes can be fatal due to fluid buildup in the lungs. Scientists use heat-protective suits and breathing apparatus, allowing them to work for 15 to 60 minutes.
The danger is not just the heat. The crystal surfaces are extremely slippery and covered with condensed moisture. Moreover, they are made of soft gypsum, so they can easily break and shift under the weight of visitors. It is known that the mountain formed about 26 million years ago due to magma accumulation, and the cave's hot water, rich in calcium sulfate, contributed to the crystal growth. In 2017, NASA microbiologists discovered microbes trapped inside the crystals, estimated to be around 50,000 years old.
