For this first article, I will be discussing general information about them, how they are formed and discuss their basic structure.  I will be publishing a series of articles that will deal with specific crystals, how to cleanse, activate and maintain them and how to maximize their healing qualities as well as a handy reference table listing ailments and the corresponding crystals that are good for that particular condition.

Crystal Chemistry

Crystals are identified by the mineral content and their structure.  What I mean by structure is the basic alignment of it's inner axis.  There are seven crystal systems.  These systems are based on triangles, squares, rectangles, hexagons, rhomboids, parallelograms and trapeziums.  These shapes are characterized by axis length, the angles between the axes and the number of symmetry centers. 

All crystals are formed using a limited number of minerals that bond differently to create various types.  However, it is the internal lattice or pattern as well as the minerals that formed them that determines it's type, not its outward shape.

Whatever form crystals grow into, they have an uncanny ability to absorb, conserve, focus and emit energy - especially on the electromagnetic waveband.  It is interesting to know that crystals have been tested using high tech equipment and have shown that they emit much more energy when being held or worn and less energy when they are sitting on a surface such as a table.

The chemistry of the stone has a lot to do with how much it vibrates.  For instance, crystal containing copper have very powerful energy conduits that make them work quickly to heal joint pain and arthritic symptoms such as swelling.  On the other hand, lithium based crystals give optimal benefit to alleviate depression while crystals containing iron are most helpful in boosting energy.

How crystals are formed....

Crystal were formed as the earth cooled.  It was a continual metamorphosis as a result of eons of geological change.  Because they contain a record of Earth's development spanning millions of years and an indelible imprint of the powerful forces that formed our planet, crystals are considered by many as the DNA.  Many even regard them as Mother Earth's brain cells.

As the planet's crust formed due to cooling of it's molten magma core, deep underground chambers formed much like the cave I described in 'Sistene Chapel of Crystals' Found in Mexico which contains the largest crystals ever discovered.

Igneous crystals such as quartz crystals are the most common types and are formed from the fiery gases and minerals that are forced upward from the Earth's molten core.  Penetrating the mantle, or crust, the gases meet solid rock that forces them to cool and solidify.  This is usually a slow and gradual process.  Variations of the environmental conditions that these gases and minerals eventually reside in have a lot to do with what types of crystals are formed.

Metamorphic crystals such a Garnets are formed deep in the earth.  It is there that, under intense pressure and heeat, the mineral melt an rechrystalize, changing their inner structure.  These types of crystals are the hardest.  Diamonds are formed this way.

Sedimentary crystals form because of erosion.  Surface rocks crumble and break down, usually due to mineralized water seeping through and around them.  These types of crystals are very soft and are mormed in layers.

The big thing about crystals is to remember that they work in tune with the vibrations and brainwaves that humans naturally produce.  Because of this, it is important that your vibes are in harmony with those of the crystal.

Here are some of my other articles about crystals:

Healing Crystals:Their Color Classifications and Benefits

Carnelian Crystals: Their Properties and Benefits

Images via Cobalt

  

The "Cueva de los Cristales" or Cave of Crystals, is located 1,000 feet below the surface of a mountain in the Chihuahua desert region of Mexico and was discovered by accident when two miners were digging a new tunnel, removing the mineral rich water that filled the 30 foot by 90 foot cave.  Some of these crystals are up to 36 feet long.  Until this discovery, the largest known crystals were found in the Cave of Swords, some of which are currently on display at the Smithsonian Institute.  The Cave of Swords is also part of the same tunnel system containing the Cave of Crystals. 

When these magnificent caves were discovered, the mining company in charge of the operation re-routed their excavation project in order to preserve these magnificent caves.  Currently, a team of geologists are analyzing the cave and its crystals and are studying core samples taken from the crystals. These core samples contain an organism but it is not known as of yet whether or not this organism is alive or if it is a contributing factor to the growth of the crystals.

Check out this video.  It really illustrates just how big this cave and its crystals really are.

How The Cave of Crystals Formed

As I mentioned earlier, the cave was filled with water that was rich in the mineral anhydrite This water was essential in nurturing the growth of the monumental crystals as well as keeping the temperature  within a small range around 136 degrees Fahrenheit.  This happens to be an ideal temperature for anhydrite to dissolve into gypsum which ultimately causes the crystals to grow.

Geologist Juan Manuel Garcia-Ruiz, who has done extensive research and exploration of the cave, reports that for approximately 500,000 years these crystals have been growing in the extremely rare and stable natural environment of the water filled cave.

The Cave of Crystals is situated on a fault that helps to create the environment necessary to promote the growth of these crystals, which were formed by hydrothermal fluids from the magma chambers below.  What happens is that the intensely heated mineral rich fluids are driven up and into voids in the bedrock.  The water in the caves then vaporize and form these giant crystal caves that defy scientific understanding.

Crystals and Their Energy

I have known for some time that crystals give off energy.  In fact, researchers have found that crystals give off more energy when being held than when they are sitting on a surface.  This fact leads me to marvel at the energy fields that are transmitted by these giant crystals.  It has been discovered that Earth has magnetic and energy fields that previously could not be explained.  For instance, certain monolithic structures in Europe were tested and found to have spiraling magnetic fields surrounding the individual stones.

It is also known that Earth emits waves.  These waves are much like our brainwaves.  Known as the Schuman Resonance, they were previously recorded at about 7.8 Hz.  The wave frequency varies according to geographical location.  Alarmingly, these waves have been rising dramatically.  This is causing a great deal of concern since these waves are basically our planet's heartbeat.  Our planet is constantly changing by means of shifting platelets, continents and even volcanoes that form new ground.

There are abundant mysteries about our planet that we are yet to understand.  Perhaps by studying the Cave of Crystals and other similar caves, we will be able to learn more about this living organism we call Earth and even learn to nurture it in order to promote a healthier global environment.

Check out these links for more pics and info about these fabulous caves:

This site  is particularly interesting since it is a first-hand account (including pictures) written by Richard Fisher as he toured the Cave of Crystals.

This site has some of the most beautiful and detailed large sized pictures I have seen of the interior of the Cave of Crystals.

This spectacular image shows lava pouring down a volcano. It pools at different levels on the face of rocks. The lava looks thin here so it will be at a very high temperature.

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This lava image is forcing jets of steam high into the air. Its hot path is creating a new island as we read. This is the island of Kalapana one of the Hawaii live volcanoes.

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This is a set lava flow. You can see the curves and twists of the once molten flow. It looks like a raised platform ready for whatever life can throw at it. If you're ever popping West of Hawthorne Nevada. And fancy checking out Stone Cabin Canyon. You can indulge in your sense of knowledge that you are standing on a fresh part of new Earth.

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These are called lava tubes. Once the lava reaches the sea or spreads out over the existing land, you can walk through these. Obviously you would have to wait until all the lava has passed through and cooled down. This picture was taken from a helicopter.

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Now dry, this once molten flow is ready to be absorbed by natures flourishing greenery. You can see already stems of trees, bushes, and grass pushing there way through.

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What a spectrum of orange zest. Twisting, turning and moulding its way to a new beginning. This image was taken at night. I think it captures the molten lava in a beautiful state.

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So there you have it some rather cool snaps of live and set lava.

Reed Flute Cave

The Reed Flute Cave is located at the Guangming Hill in the northwestern outskirts of the city. The cave is full of an immense number of stalactites, stalagmites, and rocks in all shapes and sizes. The cave is about 240 meters long.

Ajanta  

 

The first Buddhist cave monuments at Ajanta date from the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. during the Gupta period. The paintings and sculptures of Ajanta, considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, have had a substantial artistic influence.

Melissani Caves, Kefalonia

In Greek mythology, Melissani was the cave of the nymphs. The cave features a lake that is surrounded with foliage and forests. The cave is located east of the mountains of Evmorfia and Agia Dynati.

Sea Caves Apostle Islands, Lake Superior

Candelaria Caves

The Candelaria Caves are located in an archaeological region typically known for its lack of large-scale ceremonial architecture.  In fact, only one small temple has been found at Cancuen, while the other large site in the region, Raxruha Viejo, lacks temples completely.  Instead, it appears that they were using the mountain-caves which mark the region as "tailor-made" temple pyramids.  The caves are also one of the "birthplaces" of the Pasión-Usumacinta river structure, as the Río Candelaria, one of its tributaries, passes through the 4 principal caves.  In fact, the river passes in and out of the cave system 7 times, which, "if current theories about the validity of applying ethnohistoric documents (in this case, the Popol Vuh) to the Classic Maya would also have been reminiscent of the "Seven Caves, Seven Canyons" of the creation myth."

Cave of Hams

Situated at Porto Cristo, in the east of Majorca, the Cave of Hams is renowned throughout the world for its delicately ramified dripstone formations. The unsurpassed exquisiteness of the Caves is heightened by the artistic illumination created by Lorenzo Caldentey, son of the discoverer.

Caves at Keri

The Caves at Keri are located on the southwest coast of Zakynthos (Zante) The Blue Caves, the Bat cave, the Seal Cave and several others, were created by the erosion of the rocks. They are impressive and the fluctuation of colors inside and outside the caves is marvelous.

Kongshan Baiyun Cave

The Kongshan Baiyun Cave is located to the west of the Lincheng County Seat, 50 kilometers away from Xingtai City. The local geography has created great cave formations. In this over 4,000 square meters cave, there are five interconnected halls and over two hundred scenes in which the stalactite, the stalagmite, the sheet, the stone waterfall can be seen. Furthermore, the ancient stalagmite group found on the ridge of the Kongshan Hill is unique in China and even rare in the world, for there has not been a similar discovery in other countries. They are very valuable for the research on the ancient climate, crust, and geological changes.

Bhaja Caves

The Bhaja Caves, near the Karla Caves, are a group of 18 rock-cut caves dating back to 200 BC. The caves are located near Lonavala and Karli in the western state of Maharashtra between the cities of Mumbai and Pune in India. There are a group of 14 stupas, five inside and nine outside the caves. A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, once thought to be places of Buddhist worship, typically the remains of a Buddha or saint.

Geologists have classified volcanoes into four main types: cinder cones, composite, shield and lava domes. Cinder cones are the simplest type while shield volcanoes are built almost entirely of lava flows. Lava domes are built by slow eruptions of highly viscous lava. Some of the world’s majestic mountains are composite, also known as stratovolcanoes. Explosive eruptions by stratovolcanoes is said to have posed the greatest hazard to civilizations.

Osorno Volcano

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Volcan Osorno is one of the most active volcanoes in the Chilean Andes. This stratovolcano is located in the Los Lagos Region of Chile with an elevation of 8,701 feet.

Mount Taranaki

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Also known as Mount Egmont, Mount Taranaki of New Zealand is an active but quiescent stratovolcano that has an elevation of 8,261 feett. Having experienced at least five major eruptions by cone collapse, Taranaki is said to be considered unusual since few volcanoes have undergone more than one cone collapse. Taranaki came from the word tara which means mountain peak, while naki is believed to come from the word ngaki meaning “shining”.

Mount Cotopaxi

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One of the world's highest active volcano, Mount Cotopaxi, rises 19,388 in the Andes Mountains south of Quito, Ecuador. Mount Cotopaxi is a stratovolcano that is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The name cotopaxi means “smooth neck of the moon.”

Arenal Volcano

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Located northwest of Costa Rica, Volcan Arenal is an active andeistic stratovolcano rising at 5,436 feet. It was presumed extinct until July 1968 when an earthquake caused it to erupt after more than 400 years of being dormant. Arenal’s eruptions are considered strombolian or frequent but moderately active making it a popular tourist destination especially at night. The word arenal means “sandy.”

Shishaldin Volcano

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Rising at 9,373 feet in the Aleutian Islands chain of Alaska, Shishaldin Volcano is the third largest island-based volcano in North America. Mt. Shishaldin's most recent eruptions were in 1995-96 and 1999. Shishaldin is a moderately active nearly perfectly conical stratovolcano.

Mount Fuji

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Mount Fuji or Fuji-san as the Japanese calls it is a stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707-08. Rising at 12,388 feet, it is located west of Tokyo. Japan’s two major religions, Shinto and Buddhism, regards Fuji as sacred. The name Fuji means “deity of fire”; a more recent interpretation means “never die.”

Mayon Volcano

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Rising at 8,081 feet, Mayon Volcano is an active stratovolcano located in Bicol, Albay, Philippines. It is the most active volcano in the country, having erupted more than 50 times in the past 40 years. It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and is renowned as the world’s most perfect cone because of its almost perfectly conical shape. The name Mayon came from the Bicol word magayon meaning “beautiful.”

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This Spectacular image is showing an erupting flow of lava from the south side of the Kilauea volcano. This is truly an amazing image. Tons of molten lava spewing of its rim makes a river as it flows away from the angry volcano.

Above is some pretty amazing footage of Hawaii's largest volcano. Enjoy the brief footage.

This amazing volcano can be found in Costa Rica and is called the “Arenal Volcano”. It said that it is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

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Above is some “Out of this World” video of the Arenal Volcano as well as the beautiful plant life in and around the base of it. This is a very scenic area; yet also dangerous as this giant can erupt at any given time.

The Chaiten Volcano below erupts and spews tons of volcanic ash into the air.

The eruption force the evacuation of over 5000 people and the fall out caused the death of many of the animals around and near the area.

Chile's Liaima Volcano erupted on Jan. 1 2008.

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Mt. St. Helen is another volcano closer to home. It erupted putting tons of ash high into the air. The ash spread out for hundreds of miles covering the surrounding areas with several inches of very thick ash.

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This is one of the best images of the eruption that I have come across; I felt it has earned its place in this article.

The next image below of the erupting St. Helen is truly priceless and may give some kind of scope concerning the height the ash was thrown into the air. This image is again just amazing.

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Last but not least, this is one of my most liked pictures of the Congo Volcano. This huge monster can be found in Africa. Several fields' studies are still ongoing concerning this one.

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This video below is called the “Nyiragongo Lava Lake” by watching the video below you will agree with the name it was given I feel.

This ends my article on Amazing Volcanoes; it is my hope that it has been both educational and interesting. There are many active ones such as these that are waiting to be shared and written about.

I'm new to the wonderful world of self publishing; it has been learning experience for me so far almost every step of the way. It continues to shape my future by allowing me to be the best that I can be. It stirs my creative juices and as I slowly move forward along my journey in the world of Creative and often compelling writing it helps me in immeasurable ways.

I sat down this morning and thought about what it would be that I wanted to share today? I love Mother Earth and all she has taught me over the many years while on my life's walk. There is much more then just a world of flesh and bone here. There is a life force that is greater then all of us.

So today I share with all my friends and those that read my articles my take on the beauty and power of Mother Natures Amazing Waterfalls.

 

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In the picture above you can see the power of water at work. Mother Nature is a force to always be respected. She can carve out mountains creating rivers and streams.

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Wow! What an awesome shot of a rainbow over the Niagara Falls. If you look past the rainbow you can see the whitecaps on the water as it picks up speed just before it crashes over the brink of this truly amazing waterfall.

 

This is truly an amazing picture of the Krimmler Falls; it's considered to be the tallest waterfall in Europe standing 1248 feet high. It can be found in Austria's Hone Tavern National Park. This awesome Creation of Mother Nature is a must see!

This is yet another truly beautiful water fall that can be found in Austria; it speaks directly to ones heart and inspires peace and tranquility.

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The Baron waterfall is yet another amazing site and if you look really closely you can see Mother Nature at work here also and you might find the study of erosion very interesting here. By studying the many layers of rock we can learn some very interest facts and history concerning the earth.

This waterfall below just wants to make me drop everything I'm doing and go swimming. Hey it's 112 here in the desert today and the water is very inviting.

 

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I could spend a few weeks here and the world around me would fade into the shadows of the past.

Canada has some really awesome waterfalls as well; this picture below brings back a lot of memories and reminds me of the many things that Mother Nature has taught me when I was a child grown up in the mountains back home.

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This is a great picture of Niagara Falls on the Canadian side.

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This beauty can be found in Brazil and it's really an amazing site. You can see the forces of Mother Nature at work in this picture.

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The picture above is of the Apucaraninha water fall in Brazil. It's a truly amazing site to see and if anyone ever doubted the master painter and power of Creator, look again. It's a truly astounding piece of Creation.

These are among some of my favourite water falls in the world. What are some of your's?

Sit back and relax! And hope you enjoy a tour to these world famous rock formations, as follows:

Amah Rock

A granite rock located on top of a hill near Sha Tin in Kowloon Hongkong, resembling a woman with child on her back. Its Cantonese name "Mong Fu Shek" literally means "the stone that is gazing out for her husband." According to legend, it was where a fisherman's wife faithfully waited with her son for her husband, who never returned, so the gods took pity on her by turning her into stone.

Wave Rock

An amazing rock formation situated near Hyden town in Western Australia, where one can find other equally amazing formations such as the "Hippo's Yawn" and the "Humps." Standing about 14 meters in height and 110 meter long, it is shaped like a giant wave that is just about to break onto a 2.7 trillion-year-old prehistoric surf, but frozen in time.

Queen's Head

Lying along the coastal area of Taipei's county of Yehliu in Taiwan are countless mushroom rock formations of thick sandstone that are named after objects they resemble such as fairy shoe and candlesticks, but the most well-known of all is this rock that is shaped like an Egyptian woman's head. Its name is a literal translation of its Mandarin name: "Nu Wang tou."

Bowerman's Nose

A large stack of granite located in Dartmoor Great Britain, which you can make out a human face in its rocky outline with a little bit of imagination. According to a local folklore, a Norman hunter went out with his hounds so engrossed in chasing hares that they accidentally crashed into a coven of witches disrupting their ceremony; the witches in revenge turned him into stone.

Old Man of the Mountain

A granite rock-face profile protruding out from Profile Mountain above Profile Lake that could once be seen as one travel along I-93 in Franconia Notch State Park. This once state symbol of New Hampshire of the United States, also known as "The Great Stone Face" or "The Profile," unfortunately collapsed in the year 2003 due to centuries of erosion by wind and rain.

Flowerpot Rocks

Also called Hopewell Rocks, they are located in a popular tourist destination at Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick, Canada. The bases of these breathtaking sandstone formations have been worn away for thousands of years by the Bay of Fundy's powerful tidal waves.

Devil's Organ Pipes

A truly remarkable formation of around 40,000 basaltic columns of volcanic origin that resembles an organ overlooking the Giant's Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. According to Irish legend, it was built by the giant Fionn MacCumhail so that he could walk to Scotland to fight against the Scottish giant, Benandonner.

Lotus Flower Peak

The highest of the 72 peaks of Huangshan (Yellow Mountains) located in south Anhui province in China. It is a literal translation of its Chinese name "Lian Hua Feng" due to its likeness to a lotus flower in full bloom. In fact, Huangshan is is famous for its oddly-shaped pines, mountain springs and cloud seas and especially for its numerous rock formations that seemingly combine to form human and animal figures that have names as "Five Old Men Going to the Heavenly Capital" and "Flowers Painted with a Dreamed Writing Brush."

Jug Rock

A large, free-standing table rock formation made up of sandstone that is located outside the town of Shoals near the East Fork of White River in Indiana, United States. It somehow looks a water container with a lid on it, and has a companion rock known as the "House Rock" standing opposite it.

Fairy Chimneys

The signature of the Cappadocia region in Turkey, these magnificent formations are made up of an erosion-resistant basalt layer on top of cone-shaped pillar of volcanic ashes that have solidified into the soft rock called tufa. In fact, caves, churches, houses and various other structures have been carved into them.

Angel Falls, Venezuela

Angel Falls , Venezuela, is the world's highest free falling waterfall. It drops an amazing 976 metres, or 3212 feet. The falls is so high that before the water can reach the ground it is blown by the wind into a fine spray. In 1912 Venezuelan explorer Ernesto Sanchez La Cruz discovered this gigantic waterfall but it wasn't until 1933 that James Crawford Angel flew over the falls and made it known to the outside world. Hence the name, Angel Falls.

Tugela, South Africa

Tugela Falls in South Africa is the highest cascading waterfall in the world. The total height of the falls is 948 metres or 3110 feet. The largest single drop is 411 metres, or 1350 feet. There are five separate drops here as the water cascades over the rocks.

Utigord, Norway

This Norwegian waterfall is cited by several sources as the third highest falls in the world. (Dorling Kindersley Publishers and Russell Ash in Top Ten of Everything) but the World Waterfall Database cites it as number eleven. The total drop is 818 metres or 2685 feet and there are five free leaping cascades. These falls are fed by a glacier so the water flow is seasonal and of insufficient volume to allow it to be used for hydro electric power.

Yosemite, USA

Yosemite Falls is the highest measured falls in North America. It stands at 739 metres, or 2425 feet. The water flow is at its peal in late Spring. This falls is the sixth highest falls in the world although the recent discovered of the Peruvian Gocta Cataracts has pushed it down to seventh.

Gocta Cataracts (Upper Section)

These recently discovered cataracts have two massive drops and they were not known to the outside world until they were discovered in 2005 by German explorer Stefan Ziemandorff and his Peruvian party. The height of the falls was measured at 771 metres, or 2532 feet which puts it at the third highest in the world.

Mutarazi, Zimbabwe

This is a free leaping falls which is 761 metres, or 2499 feet high. It has two separate tiers and was listed as the fifth highest falls in the world. This has changed since the discovery of Gocha Cataracts and is now in sixth place.