This Never Before Seen Aquamarine Pool Is Hiding Inside Lechuguilla Cave In New Mexico
By Monica Spencer|Published June 18, 2020
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Monica Spencer
Author
Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
Just when you think you’ve seen everything, science unearths a new discovery that showcases the astounding beauty of our universe, whether here on our home planet or out in space. Recently, subterranean researchers made a humble yet fascinating discovery right here in New Mexico.
During an expedition deep into Lechuguilla Cave, a team of explorers came across this pristine, aquamarine pool.
It was found in October 2019 but only made public last month. The pool, surrounded by cream and peach-colored minerals, is tiny in comparison to other cave water sources. However, the pastel color palette combined with the presence of human-free bacterial colonies makes this a stunning find.
Lechuguilla Cave is located at New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns National Park and is the eighth-longest cave in the world.
Seen here is a recent map that shows how much of it has been mapped by researchers. It is deep and discoveries like the aquamarine pool are continually being made.
Other findings in the cave include odd formations, like cave pearls, soda straws, hydromagnesite balloons, and rusticles. These sound unreal but create an otherworldly atmosphere you won't find anywhere else.
Because of the extreme fragility of the cave's geological and biological environment, the cave is open to scientific researchers and survey teams only.
