You know, I read this and I thought to myself: "Self, this sounds just like an ad for Howe Caverns or somesuch, there had better be something pretty damn compelling behind that 'spectacular' link to justify it or I'll take it to MeTa1."
Jesus H. Monkeyfucking christ is there ever.
[1] I would not actually have taken it to MeTa posted by Skorgu at 12:35 PM on August 3, 2007
Man I was thinking Fortress of Solitude right as I clicked over to this tab and saw the title. That cave is just so awesome. It is probably some form of holy land for those people that feel crystals can heal. posted by Phantomx at 1:12 PM on August 3, 2007
This was such common knowledge amongst cavers that I forget the wider public hasn't seen this stuff, yet. There was some skepticism for a while as you can imagine, "Yeah, 10-foot-log crystals... deep in a mine in Mexico... suuuuuuure," but they're pretty well documented, now. Sadly, when they wrap up mining operations there, they'll stop pumping water, and the mines and caves will flood, so human visitation will be very limited. posted by Devils Rancher at 1:14 PM on August 3, 2007
Sadly, when they wrap up mining operations there, they'll stop pumping water, and the mines and caves will flood, so human visitation will be very limited.
Sad, yes, but at the same time it's nice to know that there are still amazing and majestic things in the world that are available to a limited subset of the population, for a limited time only, and will not have their majesty marketed/subsumed/destroyed my mankind (and thus turned into a bore.) posted by davejay at 1:17 PM on August 3, 2007 [1 favorite]
Wow, I had no idea this existed, and it looks really cool. Thanks! posted by malthas at 1:46 PM on August 3, 2007
dersins - i'm an idiot. it's friday, that's my excuse. nice post - this is some awe-inspiring stuf. posted by gnutron at 2:02 PM on August 3, 2007
and the mines and caves will flood, so human visitation will be very limited.
Of course, since the temperature in the cave is 140-some degrees F (60°C) and the humidity is 100%, a visit isn't exactly likely to be too pleasant even before they're re-flooded. posted by dersins at 2:11 PM on August 3, 2007
holy shit. i had no idea that this was possible. someone ought to rewrite Journey to the [Interior] of the Earth, and use this as one of the very realistic but amazing things one can encounter. much better than that long descent in granite next to a trickle of water.
and i don't mind at all that it will be refilled with water--the mere thought that there really are places in darkness and inaccessible down there under our feet that look like this is way cool. posted by RedEmma at 2:39 PM on August 3, 2007
Oh my God, it's beautiful! I am constantly amazed by our planet. posted by LeeJay at 3:53 PM on August 3, 2007
Wow, I had no idea this existed, and it looks really cool.
It may look cool, but people have died from the heat in there.
Subscribe
posted by gnutron at 11:59 AM on August 3, 2007