Evolution of the Astonishing Naica Giant Crystals in Chihuahua, Mexico

Calcium sulfate (CaSO4) is one of the most common evaporites found in earth’s crust. It can be as four main variations: gypsum (CaSO4∙2H2O), bassanite (CaSO4∙0.5H2O), soluble anhydrite, and insoluble anhydrite (CaSO4), being key difference hydration state mineral. Naica giant crystals’ growth starts from a supersaturated solution delicate thermodynamic balance close to equilibrium, where form nanocrystals able grow up 11–12 m long. The rates are reported slow (1.4 ± 0.2) × 10−5 nm/s, taking thousands years crystals with unique smoothness diaphaneity, which may or not include solid liquid inclusions. Conservation efforts traced back other structures prior Naica’s. Furthermore, last two decades, several authors have explored requirements these grow, characterization their environment microclimatic conditions, prediction deterioration scenarios. We present state-of-the-art review on mentioned topics. Beyond findings origin, this work we current foreseeable future astounding crystals.