Greek-Canadian adventurer, storm chaser, and television presenter George Kourinis is one of the few people to have ventured into a breathtaking yet perilous crystal cave in Mexico.
As reported by the UK newspaper The Sun, this hidden cavern lies 300m below the surface and is adorned with enormous crystals capable of taking a visitor’s life within minutes.
For at least half a million years, these hundreds of crystals have grown undisturbed.
Located deep beneath the Sierra de Naica Mountain in Chihuahua state, some of these glasslike shards measure up to an impressive 10m in length and weigh a staggering 55 tonnes (55,000 kg).
Despite being as soft as fingernails, these crystals are razor-sharp and strong enough to support a person’s weight.
Experts believe that these unique crystals took between 500,000 to 900,000 years to form, making them an extraordinary geological wonder.
For George Kourinis, an adventurer with a diverse range of experiences, including chasing and filming natural disasters, documenting wildlife, and exploring volcanoes worldwide, this cave stands out as the most extraordinary place he has ever visited.
“It is fascinating, it really is. I was one of the few people who had the privilege of going inside that cave years ago when it was still accessible,” he revealed to The Sun.
“The opportunity is now lost, but it is like going into another planet. You look around, and it’s like Superman’s fortress of solitude. All these giant crystals made it feel like being on an alien planet.”
However, despite the allure, this place can never become a tourist destination. The air inside the cave is acidic, with 100 percent humidity and temperatures reaching a scorching 58°C. Prolonged exposure can cause visitors to lose consciousness.
“The air temperature is so unbearable – it is so hot and so humid that the air just hits you in the face like a hammer,” Kourinis described. “Even with special chilled air respirators and ice-filled suits, we could only go in for around 40 minutes at a time.”
“It was just so beautiful, but every cell in your body is just screaming at you to leave because you overheat so fast in that extreme environment with the heat and humidity. But that’s what makes it even more beautiful because you know your time is so limited in there. That makes it really special.”
Dubbed the Giant Crystal Cave, this natural marvel was accidentally discovered in 2000 by miners while excavating a new tunnel.
Unfortunately, the cave was last visited in 2017 and has since been reflooded due to the end of mining operations.
Now submerged again, the crystals may have started growing once more, hidden from the world’s view.
