Something often done with kids' chemisty sets has been done by nature on a record breaking scale at a site discovered in Mexico in the last ten years. What is it, where exactly is the site and why is it very difficult to observe first hand? A link to a picture of the site is welcome.

mutchisman

The Naica Mine in Mexico produces naturally occuring gypsum crystals on a huge scale. There are some decent snaps at this web-site: http://giantcrystals.strahlen.org/america/naica.htm Jun 03 07, 11:47 AM

gmackematix

Yay, Mutch! To make it crystal clear, the activity I was referring to was crystal growing. These ones, discovered in a workng zinc mine near Chihuahua City, are over 30 feet long. Unfortunately, they are situated over a geothermal spring that creates conditions hotter than most saunas, so being by them for more than a few minutes at a time is difficult. One man tried to steal some bits of crystal but the heat sapped his strength to get out and he was found, cooked the next day (the poacher became the poached, as it were). As your site also pointed out, there are other sites with giant crystals, some of which may be harbouring even larger ones. Why such large crystals form at these particular places I don't know. Jun 03 07, 6:25 PM