Nucleation and growth of the Naica giant gypsum crystals
- 21 November 2013
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) in Chemical Society Reviews
- Vol. 43 (7), 2013-2026
- https://doi.org/10.1039/c3cs60320b
Abstract
The Cave of Giant Crystals in the Naica mine (Mexico) is one of the most amazing displays of mineral beauty ever created in nature. In addition to the colossal crystals of gypsum, which in some cases exceed eleven meters in length and one meter in thickness, the scenery fashioned by the crystalline beams that thrust through the darkness of the cave from floor to ceiling with a luster like moonlight is a unique example of harmony based on crystal symmetry. We review the crystallogenesis of this remarkable and challenging phenomenon of mineralization near equilibrium that can be used to teach the basics of nucleation and crystal growth.Keywords
This publication has 29 references indexed in Scilit:
- Gypsum-carbonate speleothems from Cueva de las Espadas (Naica mine, Mexico): mineralogy and palaeohydrogeological implicationsInternational Journal of Speleology, 2012
- The Role and Implications of Bassanite as a Stable Precursor Phase to Gypsum PrecipitationScience, 2012
- Prenucleation clusters and non-classical nucleationNano Today, 2011
- Theoretical Equilibrium Morphology of Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O). 1. A Syncretic Strategy to Calculate the Morphology of CrystalsCrystal Growth & Design, 2010
- Formation of natural gypsum megacrystals in Naica, MexicoGeology, 2007
- Measuring induction period for calcium sulfate dihydrate precipitationAIChE Journal, 1999
- Compositions and sources of mineralizing fluids for chimney and manto limestone-replacement ores in MexicoEconomic Geology, 1988
- High-temperature, carbonate-hosted Ag-Pb-Zn(Cu) deposits of northern MexicoEconomic Geology, 1988
- Compositionally distinct, saline hydrothermal solutions, Naica Mine, Chihuahua, MexicoEconomic Geology, 1979
- Ore genesis in the Naica District, Chihuahua, MexicoEconomic Geology, 1959