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Giant Crystal Cave

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OverviewOverviewVideoVideoPhotosPhotosFactsFactsCave of Giant CrystalsCave of Giant CrystalsHotter than HadesHotter than HadesRare conditionsRare conditionsShow Caves in AmericaShow Caves in AmericaMore Show Caves in AmericaMore Show Caves in America

Cave of Crystal Giants:

Rare conditions

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Mineralogist Paolo Forti of the University of Bologna, who studied the Naica crystals onsite, says gypsum takes a long time to grow into crystals and needs constant conditions of water and heat. He says the giant crystals are unique because the natural world is almost never constant.

The mining company is still deciding how best to preserve the caves. The caves are restricted to the public for safety reasons, but the National Geographic Channel followed an international team of scientists – all wearing high-tech protective gear – as they entered the cave to examine the ancient megacrystals.

Among the questions the team sought to answer is: Is there life in the crystal cave? If so, what can it tell us about the origin and evolution of life on Earth — and the possibility of extraterrestrial life on planets like Mars?

“Secrets of the Crystal Cave” premieres Sunday, October 12, at 9:00 PM ET.

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Giant Crystal Cave