International Journal of Speleology (Jul 2011)

The present day genesis and evolution of cave minerals inside the Ojo de la Reina Cave (Naica Mine, Mexico)

  • Badino Giovanni,
  • Calaforra José Maria,
  • Forti Paolo,
  • Garofalo Paolo,
  • Sanna Laura

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 40, no. 2
pp. 125 – 131

Abstract

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Ojo de la Reina is the first and the smallest cave intersected at the -290 level in the Naica Mine (Mexico), therefore it was the firstcavity in which the lowering of temperature induced by mine ventilation caused condensation over crystals’ surface since 2005. Theconsequent dissolution of the gypsum crystals and subsequent condensed water evaporation lead to the deposition of several newminerals, among which some highly soluble Mg/Na compounds (bloedite, epsomite, halite, hexahydrite, kieserite, starkeyite). Thesingle available source of Mg and Na ions in this minerogenetic environment is represented by the huge fluid inclusions widespreadwithin the crystals. The condensation occurs mainly along the widened principal exfoliation (010) planes, and allows to an easy andfast opening of the fluid inclusions that consequently drip Mg-rich fluids stored inside them. Finally the evaporation of the relativelysmall volumes of involved water allows to the development of the high soluble Mg and Na compounds.

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