Posted on 09/09/2009 9:42:26 AM PDT by Squidpup
Crystal Cave of Giants
Naica, Mexico - Sept 3 - 6, 2009
Air Temperature of 50C(122F) + Relative Humidity of over 90% = Humidex Value of 105C (228F) !!
This is one of the most extreme places on the planet.
The Crystal Cave of Giants was accidentally discovered in 2000 by miners working in the silver and lead mine at Naica, Mexico. It lies almost 300 meters (900 feet) below the surface of the Earth and it contains the largest crystals known in the world, by far. The largest crystals are over 11 meters long (36 feet) and weigh 55 tons.
The crystals themselves are made of selenite which is crystallized gypsum, the same material used in drywall construction. Except these crystals formed over a span of about half a million years in a hot water solution, saturated with minerals. The the temperature inside the cave remained very consistently hot for the entire time the crystals were growing.
It is still incredibly hot in the cave due its proximity to a magma chamber, deep underground. The air temperature is 50C with a relative humidity of over 90%, making the air feel like an unbearable 105C (228F) Entering the cave without special protective suits can be fatal in 15 minutes. I will be entering the cave wearing a special cooling suit with chilling packs inside and a specialized backpack respirator which will allow me to breath chilled air. Even with all this equipment, I will still only be able to stay in the cave for no more than 45 minutes at a time.
In extreme heat, the body begins to lose higher brain functions which made the expedition much more difficult with the risk of falling into deep pits, or being impaled on a sharp crystal. All the camera gear needs to be slowly brought up to temperature beforehand by pre-heating it and most cameras with moving parts and tape mechanisms simply will not work at all.
It is as dangerous as it is beautiful. ...snip...
Really amazing. I just love it.
It’s the one place in Mexico where drug cartels haven’t dumped bodies of their victims.
My first thought as well.
Cheers!
Interesting read, thanks.
“Alright the guy in your picture doesn’t have a suit on, why is he still alive.”
He is sweating though!
Too many witnesses? It must be, for they are not picky about what they defile.
Reading further at the link, you will find that the first time the author went into the cave, it was without a suit to see just how extreme the conditions are. He was only in there for a few minutes and came out drenched, socks and all. It’s an ultimate steam bath, that’s for sure.
You can see in the pic that the guy without a suit is sweating his tail off. I used to work for a company that used dryers, to dry wood, the temp would reach over 400F and occasionally the operator would have to shut the dryer down and crawl up inside to fix the rollers and bearings. the temp would be down to about 200F when you crawled in there and there was a guy standing outside holding onto your ankles and he would pull you out after a set time period(forget now exactly how long). I know that kind of temperature(and pressure)can kill pretty fast.
Wow! That could be a heck of a tourism site.
That is cool. I bet Superman uses it as dry wall in his crib.
Oh yeah, public service is what the drug cartels are all about. ;’)
:’)
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