Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain GET ready for an unforgettable weekend in Pulpí The Romería de La Fuente 2025 will be held from May 2 to May 4 and it promises to be packed with exciting events and choir performances that will keep the celebration going all weekend long There’ll be something for every musical taste from traditional choir performances to high-energy DJ sets The evening skies will light up with impressive fireworks displays that are sure to be a highlight and free tapas and pastries available to sample It’s the perfect way to explore the region’s culinary traditions while enjoying the festive atmosphere offering fun competition for visitors and locals alike It’s a great way to relax and take part in the community celebration This annual festival is a highlight for the local community and it’s a perfect opportunity for visitors to experience the true spirit of Pulpí there’s something for everyone at Romería de La Fuente Save the dates, May 2 to May 4, and join the fun in Pulpí for a weekend you won’t forget! For more information, see the town hall website for full details and the event schedule Read more Almeria news, articles and events here Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Website#c92ec887460281efcf3060d7{display:none} Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish THE Pulpí Geode is a massive underground cave or chamber filled with enormous gypsum crystals This stunning natural formation could soon be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site after being nominated for Spain’s tentative list a crucial first step toward global recognition the Pulpí Geode is the second-largest geode in the world following the discovery of the Cave of the Crystals in Mexico it was declared a Natural Monument by Andalucía highlighting its geological and cultural significance The recent move to nominate it for World Heritage status reflects its extraordinary value expressed his excitement about the nomination calling it a significant milestone for the region and the province of Almería the geode will join Spain’s list of natural wonders opening the door for international recognition and protection this nomination is an important step in preserving the geode for future generations The University of Almería closely monitors the site to make sure it remains stable the Pulpí Geode is a natural treasure deserving of global recognition and preservation Read more Almeria news, article and events here geologist and coordinator of the Pulpí Geode a geode is a cavity inside a rock that is covered with crystals (Image credit: Getty)An abandoned mine in Spain hides a sparkling treasure – the world's largest geode a natural crystal phenomenon that has stunned scientists in Spain's south-eastern Almería Province lies a treasure that's not made from any precious metal at all what's hidden here is the world's largest geode – a natural crystal phenomenon that has stunned scientists a geode is a cavity inside a rock that is covered with crystals Sitting against a backdrop of oversized crystal spars she broke open a tiny rock with tiny gems inside "It's the same as the one I have behind me only this one is a super-sized version," she said with a laugh as she pointed over her shoulder this is the biggest ever discovery," she noted adding that Pulpí is not to be confused with another crystal marvel which has larger spars (15m long compared to Pulpí's two metres) but which is a cave lined with crystals rather than a geode The geode here in Spain was originally spotted by miners in the Mina Rica a silver mine which operated from 1873 to 1969 that geologists found it again and brought it to the world's attention "When [the original miners] blasted this rock and found a geode they probably got upset because they didn't like finding these crystals," said Carretero "It meant extra work to get rid of them They weigh a lot and were not profitable." Though scientists are still researching it they believe the whole area was once underwater volcanic activity fractured sedimentary rocks and filled them with hot fluids Pulpí Geode: We take a tour inside the largest crystal 'cave' of its kind in the world Geologists have found that the anhydrite (the mineral that formed the rocks) in Pulpí is from the time of the dinosaurs about 250 million years ago, but they are uncertain of the age of the gypsum crystals themselves because they contain very little impurities that can be dated. Their estimate is that the crystals started growing less than 2 million years ago And the more perfect the crystal is," said Carretero The mine was opened to the public in 2019 after some rubble was cleared and safety measures workers found items left behind by the original miners beer bottles and scratches on the wall tallying their daily quotas More than 100,000 people have visited the geode so far and Carretero's team is carefully monitoring temperature carbon dioxide and humidity to ensure the crystals' safety "More than the carbon dioxide [from human interaction] the humidity is what can really harm the crystals," she said "Because if a layer [of moisture] coats the crystals they tend to lose their transparency."  and visitors and scientists alike continue to be awed by the natural phenomenon "I couldn't put into words what I felt when I saw it," said Carretero "It's indescribable because it gives us a sense of how small we are This video is part of BBC Reel's World of Wonder playlist Join more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter called "The Essential List". 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Geologist Milagros Carretero maneuvers through the gigantic Pulpí Geode in Spain in August 2019 New clues into ancient climate shifts reveal the possible origin story of Spain's Pulpí Geode Sparkling hollows filled with lustrous crystals are often perceived as small objects that can fit comfortably on a bookshelf But some are more like gigantic cathedrals filled with a forest of glassy towers The Pulpí Geode, found within an abandoned silver mine in 1999 in Spain’s Almería Province It's a cavity about 390 cubic feet in volume with walls adorned with imposing gypsum crystals up to nearly seven feet long Because of the impressive dimensions of this temple of transparent spires scientists have long ached to know how it was forged our understanding of giant geodes will improve with time—and that matters are like the Egyptian pyramids,” García-Ruiz says but those geodes are eons in the making and are literally irreplaceable we will better appreciate and preserve them for many more eons to come “There is no one way to form a geode,” says Gabriela Farfan an environmental mineralogist at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History who wasn’t involved with the study A rock cavity—holes that were once gas bubbles escaping from magma and so on—is infiltrated with hydrothermal fluids their dissolved elements can crystallize out on the walls and a plethora of time tend to result in larger crystals Its chemical compound contains calcium sulfate which is calcium sulfate without the water and anhydrite will effortlessly dissolve in water This feature alone cannot explain the human-size Pulpí Geode crystals High-temperature minerals such as barite and celestine appeared first. But the hot hydrothermal system eventually waned. Temperatures dropped below that critical 136-degree threshold and eventually settled out at 68 degrees for a long time. With such perfect conditions available, the gypsum crystallized out en masse. smaller gypsum crystals dissolve back into the mix where their ingredients were then cannibalized onto the larger crystals the subterranean environment experienced temperature oscillations over geological timescales those smaller crystals dissolve more easily As to what caused such tiny temperature fluctuations over such lengthy timescales the team points the finger at the planet’s natural warming and cooling cycles driven by wobbles in Earth’s circumnavigation of the sun Perhaps because of this difficulty, not everything about the Pulpí Geode’s story is crystal clear. Experimental work crafting crystals in a lab suggests that these temperature swings, not Ostwald ripening, are the dominant mechanism that creates large crystals, Farfan notes. Saying that, Pulpí’s crystals formed over different temperatures and were significantly larger than those lab crystals, so it’s hard to say if the same rules always apply. Rogerson points out that climatic temperature fluctuations might not be capable of significantly altering the environment around a subterranean geode. Instead, it’s plausible that swings in the underlying geothermal environment itself caused these growth-boosting temperature blips. Climate change may still have had a role to play, though. Warmer, wetter times would soak the site with more water and promote the dissolution of anhydrite, he says. Colder, drier times would allow lots of gypsum to crystallize out. Rogerson adds that he appreciates this attempt to unravel the origin story of this geode—or any giant geode, for that matter. Because their developmental histories can be uncertain, the science behind them, and what’s communicated to the public, is sometimes lacking. “It’s encouraging to take those bits of celebrity geology and give them more substance,” he says. because the crystals contain few datable impurities but a radiometrically dated carbonate cap above the crystals means that they formed no later than 60,000 years ago Based on the timing of the tectonic deformation at the site they started growing no earlier than two million years ago."},"type":"p","style":{}},{"id":"inline-2","cntnt":{"aspectRatio":"3x2","cmsType":"photogallery","id":"inline-2","media":[{"caption":{"credit":"Photograph by Carsten Peter","text":"Spelunkers rappel 300 feet (90 meters) into the Greenland ice sheet Glacier caves such as these form when seasonal meltwater or geothermal vents cut fissures and channels through an ice sheet glacier caves can be quite unstable and present unique challenges to spelunkers Spelunkers rappel 300 feet (90 meters) into the Greenland ice sheet Looking like the set of a science fiction movie China’s Reed Flute Cave is bathed in purple-blue light Created by an underground river more than a half million years ago this highly accessible karst formation is one of the region's most popular tourist attractions But during World War II the cave served a different purpose—it doubled as an air raid shelter A caver is dwarfed by calcite columns that stretch some 50 feet (15 meters) to the top of Tower Place in Lechuguilla Cave Located in Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico this famous cave attracts spelunkers from all over the world Mineral deposits in caves can create amazing shapes such as these chocolaty-looking cave pearls These unique spherical formations are created in cave pools when layers of calcite are slowly deposited around a grain of sand or dirt Cave divers explore a flooded chamber of Florida’s Diepolder Cave 250 feet (76 meters) below the Earth's surface Named after the man who originally owned the land Diepolder Cave is located on Sand Hill Boy Scout Reservation near Brooksville Two tiny figures look back towards the entrance of Deer Cave in Mulu National Park in the island of the Borneo’s State of Sarawak The pair is dwarfed by one of the world's largest known cave passages The massive cave system here draws explorers from all over the world-and is also home to much well-adapted wildlife Deer Cave alone houses three million wrinkled-lipped freetail bats-whose droppings in turn feed countless dung-eating insects Steam rises from the Pacific as molten lava pours from the fiery interior of a lava tube near Kilauea Lava tubes are created when lava flows through a channel for long periods of time gradually building natural levees along its sides that eventually connect into an overlying roof the caves may be left behind for exploration Kilauea’s tubes extend from the ocean to vents on the flank of the Puu Oo cone a group of cavers descends into Ellison's Cave far under Pigeon Mountain in northwest Georgia is the deepest cave drop in the continental United States at a staggering 586 vertical feet (179 vertical meters) A caver rappels into the first pit of Krubera Cave in the Caucasus Mountains of Abkhazia a politically disputed breakaway region of Georgia Krubera is the deepest known cave in the entire world delving more than 7,188 feet (2,191 meters) underground Exploring it requires a kind of reverse mountaineering as teams spend weeks moving from camp to camp while working their way even further into the Earth A spelunker takes a close look at the Hand of Dog stalagmite in Hang Son Doong Cave The “Mountain River Cave,” in a remote part of Vietnam's Annamite Mountains was first explored in 2009 and boasts caverns large enough to hold a 747 airplane though explorers have only scratched the cave's surface it may be the world’s largest with continuous passages as wide as 300 feet (91 meters) stretching more than 600 feet (183 meters) high A sea kayaker cruises through a glacier cave carved out from among the giant icebergs of Resurrection Bay near Seward Alaska Glacier caves are often created by the action of water on ice though not all end up partially submerged as this iceberg example Boaters on an underground river enjoy a facsimile of the night sky created by a galaxy of glowworms on the roof of the Waitomo Caves on New Zealand's North Island The tiny worms have become a rather large tourist attraction and the caves they call home also boast notable stalactites A caver explores an otherworldly landscape in the aptly named Cave of Crystals in Naica the cave’s 90 percent humidity and high temperatures (118 degrees Fahrenheit 48 degrees Celsius) could kill a person in half an hour mineral-rich water that filled the cave until local mining operations pumped it dry the caves will refill and crystal growth will begin again called “snotties,” that produce a prodigious slime with a nasty acidic level rivaling battery acid Mexico’s Cueva de Villa Luz these bacteria oxidize sulfur compounds that enter the cave from subterranean springs Sulfur is the basis of nearly all life forms in this toxic-to-humans environment and cavers wear respirators for protection against sulfurous vapors cavers begin an eye-popping descent into the Cave of Swallows a Mexican open-air pit cave whose floor lies some more than 1,200 dizzying feet (366 meters) below-far enough to accommodate the Empire State Building This free fall plunge is so exhilarating that it has become a major draw for adventure seekers including BASE jumpers Animals have called it home for far longer and the cave takes its name from the many birds who nest in its vertical walls The Chandelier Ballroom is a spot of extreme beauty where gypsum crystals up to 20 feet (6 meters) long sprout from the ceiling of Lechuguilla Cave in Carlsbad Caverns lies some 1,640 feet (500 meters) below the desert and stretches for some 120 miles (193 kilometers) in fact it’s the world’s longest known cave system but cavers must still be prepared to deal with the many tight spots familiar to all who explore underground Under south central Kentucky the cave’s linked honeycomb has been surveyed for more than 360 miles (580 kilometers) Experts believe that its full extent might be more than 1000 miles (1600 kilometers) A small “glacier cave” on the north polar ice cap offers a frigid refuge and and a wide sampling of exotic ice crystals While many conventional caves are born from the actions of water and rock they form differently on Arctic's floating pack ice Large glacier caves here grow where fissures are cut and subsequently enlarged through the ice sheet by the actions of seasonal meltwater or geothermal vents In a paper published in the journal Geology, Dr. Juan Manuel García-Ruiz from the Universidad de Granada and colleagues reveal the geological history that ended with the formation of the famous Geode of Pulpí in Spain Discovered in in 1999, the Geode of Pulpí is an 11 m3 ovoid in the abandoned Mina Rica (the Rich Mine) in Almería Its walls are covered with large (about 0.5 m) blocky gypsum crystals of great transparency “To reveal their formation has been a very tough task because unlike in the case of the giant crystals of Naica in Mexico where the hydrothermal system is still active the large Geode of Pulpí is a fossilized environment,” Dr He and his co-authors performed a study of the geology and geochemistry of the abandoned Mina Rica mine including a detailed mapping of the underground mining works which has been used to allow the tourist visits in the mine They found that the crystals of Pulpi formed at around 20 degrees Celsius (68 dgrees Fahrenheit) at a shallow depth where the temperature fluctuations of the climate are still perceptible being below the maximum solubility of gypsum (40 degrees Celsius led to the dissolution and recrystallization amplifying a maturation process that is known as Ostwald maturation “This is somewhat like the temperature cycles in crystal quality control in industrial processes,” Dr “A continuous supply of salt for the formation of the crystals was provided by the dissolution of anhydrite (the anhydrous form of calcium sulfate) the mechanism accounting for the formation of the Naica crystals.” the crystals forming the geode cannot be dated precisely “They grew for sure after the desiccation of the Mediterranean Sea that occurred 5.6 million years ago,” Dr “They are most probably younger than two million years but older than 60.000 years because this is the age of the carbonate crust coating one of the large gypsum crystal.” The origin of large gypsum crystals in the Geode of Pulpí (Almería A researcher is dwarfed by the telephone-pole-sized gypsum pillars in Mexico's Cavern of Crystals Want more science? You can get 5 issues of our partner “How It Works” magazine for $5 for the latest amazing science news.  Most geodes can fit in the palm of your hand The Pulpí Geode can fit your entire family inside it climb a ladder into an inconspicuous hole in the rocks and squeeze through a jagged tube of gypsum crystals barely wide enough for one person you'll be standing inside the world's largest geode: the Pulpí Geode a 390-cubic-foot (11 cubic meters) cavity about the size of a cement mixer drum studded with crystals as clear as ice and sharp as spears on every surface While you may have never stood inside a geode "Many people have little geodes in their home," Juan Manuel García-Ruiz a geologist at the Spanish National Research Council and co-author of a new paper on the history of the Pulpí Geode "It's normally defined as an egg-shaped cavity inside a rock García-Ruiz and his colleagues attempted to shed some new light on the mysterious cave by narrowing down how and when the geode formed a basketball-court-size cavern of gypsum beams as big as telephone poles buried 1,000 feet (300 m) below the town of Naica Uncovering the history of that "Sistine Chapel of crystals," as García-Ruiz called it was made easier by the fact that the crystals were still growing in the mine's humid bowels.  Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox "We had no idea what happened," García-Ruiz said we were required to make a cartography of the entire mine to understand its very complicated geology." The researchers analyzed and radiometrically dated rock samples around the mine for seven years to figure out how the area had changed since its formation hundreds of millions of years ago The team's driving question: Where did the calcium sulfate in the Pulpí Geode come from the researchers narrowed down the geode's formation to a window of about 2 million years (not bad for the 4.5-billion-year-old calendar of geologic time) The crystals must be at least 60,000 years old because that was the youngest age of a bit of carbonate crust growing on one of the largest crystals in the geode Since the crust is on the outside of a crystal Based on the size of the gypsum crystals, it's likely they started forming less than 2 million years ago, through a very slow-growing process called Ostwald ripening in which large crystals form through the dissolution of smaller ones small ice crystals begin to break away from the rest of the treat those small crystals lose their shape and recombine into larger crystals giving old ice cream a distinctly gritty texture.  The Pulpí Geode may not be as tasty as ice cream but merely knowing that magical places like this exist comes with its own sweet satisfaction Thanks in part to the research team's mapping efforts tourists are now allowed to visit the Pulpí Geode and García-Ruiz certainly wouldn't blame you for doing so Squeezing past the jagged gypsum gateway and into the geode's cavity for the first time several years ago García-Ruiz recalled one feeling: "euphoria." Originally published on Live Science Brandon SpecktorSocial Links NavigationEditorBrandon is the space/physics editor at Live Science His writing has appeared in The Washington Post the Richard Dawkins Foundation website and other outlets He holds a bachelor's degree in creative writing from the University of Arizona geoscience and the mysteries of the universe Corryvreckan whirlpool: Scotland's 'raging cauldron' that is named after a Norse king and said to house a witch Atlantic ocean currents are weakening — and it could make the climate in some regions unrecognizable To reveal their formation has been a very tough task because unlike in the case of the giant crystals of Naica in Mexico the large geode of Pulpí is a fossilized environment The scientists performed a study of the geology and geochemistry of the abandoned mine where the geode was found: … including a detailed mapping of the underground mining works That was a clue to the crystals’ history. Most areas that have grown giant gypsum crystals are attached to inactive hydrothermal systems the finding that the crystals stabilized at 20 degrees C suggested they might have formed closer to Earth’s surface where climate fluctuations might also have played a role With a relatively stable temperature, many smaller gypsum crystals dissolved to form fewer, larger ones in a process called Ostwald ripening This is somewhat like the temperature cycles in crystal quality control in industrial processes Read more about the study via EOS: Giant geode grew slow and steady Read more about the study via Phys.org: The giant geode of Pulpí EarthSky 2020 lunar calendars are available! They make great gifts. Order now. Going fast! we snagged the comment and photos below from a page at TripAdvisor.com It looks like a very interesting place to go Bottom line: Scientists recently studied the formation of the giant crystals inside the geode of Pulpí They found that temperature fluctuations – maybe from climate or maybe from geothermal systems – amplified a natural process that grew the crystals Source: The origin of large gypsum crystals in the Geode of Pulpí (Almería, Spain) We invite you to visit our campaign page to discover why we need your contributions now more than ever to preview an illustration from Guy Ottewell’s great book that we're helping finalize and to learn more about EarthSky’s history “Things are always so much more peaceful when looking up.” We couldn’t agree more we apologize for the popup and greatly appreciate your support Eos Deep in an abandoned mine in the southeast of Spain sits a geode large enough to fit several people inside A recent study in Geology proposed that a slow and steady process grew the meter-sized gypsum crystals inside the giant geode of Pulpí Temperature fluctuations from thousands of years ago ripened the crystals and made them literally crystal clear “Giant crystals are scarce,” said coauthor Juan Manuel García-Ruiz a professor at the Universidad de Granada in Spain an egg-shape cavity in the rock lined with crystals Get the most fascinating science news stories of the week in your inbox every Friday The Pulpí geode was discovered in 1999 in Mina Rica, a former silver mine in Almería, Spain. Its gypsum crystals are up to 2 meters in size and are so clear and pure you can see the rock behind them It’s taken a while to figure out the geode’s origins because “the hydrothermal system in the origin of these crystals was exhausted,” García-Ruiz said. Most areas that have grown giant gypsum crystals are attached to inactive hydrothermal systems, the team wrote, with the exception of the Cave of Crystals in Naica in Mexico Without an active hydrothermal system to help unravel the geode’s origin “we realized that we needed to unveil the geological history of the mine,” he said The researchers found that the rock that encompasses the geode is made of layered carbonate from the Triassic period (201–251 million years ago) is only between 60 thousand and 2 million years old “The exact [formation] date is still unknown,” García-Ruiz said “The crystals are so pure that radiometric methods cannot measure their age.” did trap a few fluid inclusions that retained information about conditions at the time the crystals formed The team measured the sulfur and oxygen isotope ratios of those inclusions and found that the gypsum likely stabilized at a temperature of about 20°C That’s much lower than the maximum soluble temperature for gypsum (45°C), which suggests that the crystals grew over a long period of time from a slow, steady drip of a concentrated calcium sulfate solution. With a relatively stable temperature, many smaller gypsum crystals dissolved to form fewer, larger ones in a process called Ostwald ripening “Temperature fluctuations amplified the mechanism resulting in these astonishing transparent gypsum crystals.” However, “Ostwald maturation for large crystals has not yet [been] experimentally demonstrated,” said lead author Àngels Canals of the Universitat de Barcelona in Spain “We propose that temperature fluctuations amplified the mechanism resulting in these astonishing transparent gypsum crystals.” If the gypsum formed around 20°C it was likely much closer to the surface than it is today so the temperature fluctuations may have been caused by a shifting climate It’s more likely that the geode’s now inactive geothermal system created the temperature fluctuations he was excited to see the team delve into the geologic history of this popular tourist destination —Kimberly M. S. Cartier (@AstroKimCartier) Cartier, K. M. S. (2019), Giant geode grew slow and steady, Eos, 100, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019EO136192 2019 3:56 PM(Credit: Hector Garrido)NewsletterSign up for our email newsletter for the latest science newsSign Up From one end to another this giant geode is about as long as a small RV you could comfortably house several adults within its dazzling interior And the crystalline slabs that jut from its walls may even be taller than you are The interior of the egg-shaped cavity — which measures 25 feet long 7 feet wide and about 5 feet tall — is encrusted with shimmering crystals are so transparent that they resemble massive spears of ice a team of researchers dug into the geological forces that shaped the Pulpí geode In recent years, other formations of giant, gypsum crystals have been found across the globe. One of the most striking is a crystal cave in Naica, Mexico, that looks like the fictional “Fortress of Solitude” where Superman hangs his cape It contains some of the largest natural crystals ever discovered But scientists say that unearthing the mystery of how the Pulpí crystals were formed posed its own set of challenges Because they were shaped by incremental crystal growth over thousands of years recreating those circumstances in a laboratory isn’t an option “To reveal their formation has been a very tough task,” study author Juan Manuel García-Ruiz said in a press release the large geode of Pulpí is a fossilized environment.” The Pulpí geode was discovered in 1999 within an abandoned mine in southeast Spain the research team conducted a study of the geology and geochemistry of the mine including a detailed mapping of the underground mining facility crystals form when liquids cool and start to harden The researchers discovered that the crystals of Pulpí formed at around 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) where fluctuations in temperature could still be felt These shifts caused the gypsum minerals to dissolve and recrystallize over time the crystals comprising the geode can’t be precisely dated it is possible to indirectly deduce the Pulpí geode’s approximate age “They are most probably younger than 2 million years because this is the age of the carbonate crust coating one of the large gypsum crystals,” said Garcia-Ruiz Register or Log In Want more?Keep reading for as low as $1.99 Subscribe Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine ShareSaveInnovationScienceOrigin Of Large Gypsum Crystals In The Geode Of Pulpí A Result Of Climate ChangeByDavid Bressan the 0.5 meter (almost 2 feet) long crystals of Pulpi display exceptional transparency and crystalline geometry is the largest accessible geode in the world coordinating geologist of the giant geode of Pilar de Jaravia - The geode of Pulpi is listed as the largest in Europe and the second in the world after the one located in the Mexican state of Chihuahua (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JORGE GUERRERO/AFP/Getty Images) the researchers found that the crystals of Pulpí formed at around 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) The geode of Pulpí is located at a relatively shallow depth of 500 meters (approximately 1,600 feet) underground and the researchers think that temperature fluctuations on the surface played an important role in the growth of the large and transparent crystals The Pulpí Geode was formed in two different phases At first percolating water dissolved the soluble limestone Then groundwater was heated by volcanic activity and minerals started to crystallize along the rocky walls of the cavity the temperature in the Pulpí geode fluctuated only slightly around 68 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit forming an optimal environment for the crystals to grow slowly as layer after layer of gypsum was deposited Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox (List price   3  months 12 Bulletins)  and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible: Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc Also attach a photo to illustrate your article Hannah Osborne is Nesweek's Science Editor Hannah joined Newsweek in 2017 from IBTimes UK She is a graduate of Goldsmiths University and King's College London You can get in touch with Hannah by emailing h.osborne@newsweek.com either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content The geological history that led to the formation of giant crystals and a 36-foot geode has been revealed by scientists By looking at the abandoned mine where the geode of Pulpí was found they were able to show the conditions it formed in hundreds of thousands of years ago The geode of Pulpí was discovered in 1999 in the Mina Rica silver mine in southeast Spain The walls of the cave are covered with huge crystals that are so transparent they look like blocks of ice It is thought that the geode of Pulpi is one of the largest in the world with the interior measuring about 390 cubic feet Huge crystal caves have been discovered across the globe in recent decades including the El Teniente mine in Chile and Explaining how these geological features formed is difficult—they grow very slowly and the systems in which they developed are no longer active "To reveal their formation has been a very tough task because unlike in the case of Naica, where the hydrothermal system is still active, the large geode of Pulpí is a fossilized environment," Juan Manuel García-Ruiz, from Spain's Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC)," said in a statement García-Ruiz and colleagues were hoping to find out how the geode of Pulpí grew by creating geological maps of the area and performing mineralogical and geochemical analysis to work out the geological history that led to its formation. Their findings have been published in Geology In previous research scientists showed how the Naica crystals were gypsum This is an evaporite mineral composed of calcium sulfate with two water molecules It is commonly found in layered sedimentary deposits The Naica crystals grew in a low-salinity solution in temperatures around 54 degrees Celsius forming through a "self-feeding mechanism," where the evaporite mineral anhydrite—which often forms where large amounts of sea water are evaporated—changed to gypsum after being exposed to water Exactly when the geode of Pulpí formed is not known but it was at some point after the Mediterranean Sea dried up 5.6 million years ago Best estimates currently put the geode of Pulpí at between 600,000 and 2 million years old García-Ruiz and the team discovered the Pulpi megacrystals formed at around 20 degrees Celsius at a depth where temperature fluctuations were lower than the maximum solubility of gypsum led to the dissolution and recrystallization that would allow the crystals to grow The growth is similar to the formation of the Naica crystals They also say the geode of Pulpí formed when it was closer to the surface and would have been more sensitive to changes in global temperatures "episodically contributed by a ripening process enhanced by temperature oscillations." https://www.newsweek.com/democratic-debate-questions-slammed-three-hours-no-questions-tonight-about-climate-housing-1465583 Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsletters in your inbox See all has become a focal point in the quest to determine whether life once existed on Mars is now playing a pivotal role in a groundbreaking operation to confirm if conditions on the red planet were once suitable for sustaining life Scientists from NASA and the European Space Agency have turned to the unique mineral properties of the Pulpi geode as they attempt to understand the geological similarities between Earth and Mars The geode’s gypsum crystals provide a perfect natural laboratory for examining the potential of microbial life on Mars where similar mineral structures have been detected This isn’t just a local marvel but a discovery with the potential to answer one of humanity’s (and David Bowie’s) greatest questions The Pulpi geode’s contribution to this scientific endeavour is making waves across the global research community placing Almeria at the centre of an interplanetary investigation As international interest grows, the giant geode is expected to attract even more visitors eager to witness the natural wonder that could unlock the mysteries of life beyond our planet Find more Euro Weekly News Pulpí Geode is the largest crystal 'cave' of its kind in the world But what exactly is a geode and how do crystals form inside them Discover and be amazed by this wonder of nature ShareSaveRome's most stunning optical illusions revealedFrom the Malta Knights keyhole to a set of vanishing columns, discover the Eternal City's visual secrets. 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Malaysian trade minister on US tariffsMalaysia's minister Zafrul Aziz will be representing the ASEAN bloc in its negotiations with the US. the Pulpi Geode is one of Spain’s hidden gems—literally—drawing visitors from around the world to witness its dazzling beauty with awe Discovered in 1999 making it one of the largest accessible geodes in the world In a special initiative, the Pulpi Geode will open on Monday, November 18, a day it is typically closed, to support those affected by the DANA floods in Valencia. All funds raised from ticket sales will go directly to aid the relief efforts. Tickets can be purchased at www.geodapulpi.es This is a great chance to experience the beauty of the geode while contributing to an extremely meaningful cause Later in the week, on Friday, November 22, at 10 a.m., Eco Aventureras is hosting a special guided group tour of this natural wonder. This exclusive experience, starting at just €30, allows participants to explore and learn about the giant crystal geode, promising a wonderful day out for nature lovers and geology enthusiasts. Secure your spot at www.ecoaventureras.com If you’ve always wanted to visit the spectacular Pulpi Geode These two events offer unique opportunities to connect with both nature and community; to lend a hand in supporting flood relief or come along for a guided adventure Find more Almeria news a local natural phenomenon regarded as one of the most impressive in the world The giant geode is a natural jewel and a beauty to behold attracting thousands of tourists a year to revel in its wonder Recently it has been announced that the geode is receiving some new tourist additions the geologist and coordinator of the centre recently shared the ambitious project coming to Pulpi’s geode with SER Levante A museum is set to be erected on the esplanade of the visitor reception centre which will feature two domes where tourists can interact and educate themselves on the authentic meteorites the museum is being built by a group of Chilean researchers from the only meteorite museum in the world who after visiting the Pulpi geode decided it was the perfect fit there is only one meteorite museum in the world specifically in the Atacama Desert in Chile but will soon have a second museum based in Europe In addition to the museum of meteorites is the other half of the project: La Sacristia The gallery known as La Catedral is being transformed into a bodega featuring a variety of organic white and red wines including ones from Bodegas Palomillo La Sacristia will only add to the already impressive natural tourist destination in Pulpi bringing more of the local and national attraction to the visitors this new bodega will position the site as a place of historical and cultural relevance The Geode of Pulpi is doubling down on its tourist attraction combining the location’s natural history with the nation’s culture of wine the geode has attracted thousands of tourists from all over the world allured by its fascinating features and in awe of its giant gypsum crystals that create a mirror maze of natural wonder The “diamond in Almeria” is the largest in the world that can be visited measuring nine metres long and two metres wide and was declared a Natural Monument of Andalusia in 2022 It is the second largest geode in the world yet the only one accessible to the public one of the most visited urban centres in the province each summer Located just a few metres from the beachfront of San Juan de los Terreros Pulpi is constructing a large family park for all to enjoy “The Costa Serena Park is a large park that we have designed for San Juan de los Terreros which already deserves that large park where families and children can enjoy their free time and leisure time,” explained Juan Pedro Garcia the construction of the Costa Serena Park will be carried out in two phases The first phase of construction of this project will begin this year with the mayor explaining “if everything goes well the works of this great family park will begin.” The City Council of Pulpi intends to respond to and capitalise on the growth and demands of its residents and visitors with the mayor emphasising that “Pulpi and San Juan de los Terreros are growing at a dizzying rate” For more local news and events in the Almeria province click here. Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox! Known as the PEOPLE’S PAPER, Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain. And it’s FREE! Covering the Almeria, Axarquia, Costa Blanca North, Costa Blanca South, Costa del Sol , Costa Calida, Mallorca and beyond, EWN supports and inspires the individuals, neighbourhoods, and communities we serve, by delivering news with a social conscience. Whether it’s local news in Spain, UK news or international stories, we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home. With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month, EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain. The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close. Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP), Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall). All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers. All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE. Download our media pack in either English or Spanish. Ferrovial, through its Construction division, has been awarded a contract to build the high-speed rail trackbed between Lorca (province of Murcia) and Pulpí (province of Almería), in Spain, for €171 million. The contract, to be executed in partnership with Acciona, covers a 31.3-kilometer section of the Murcia-Almería line, which is part of the Mediterranean Corridor. The project consists of building a double-track high-speed trackbed between Pulpí (Almería) and Lorca (Murcia) and includes remodeling the Pulpí and Puerto Lumbreras stations and building a new station at Almendricos. Work will commence in the municipality of Lorca and will re-use 18.6 kilometers of the route of the existing Iberian gauge non-electrified single track line between Lorca and Águilas, while dismantling 20 kilometers of existing line. The work includes construction of the Rincón tunnel and of ten viaducts and bridges of several types with a total length of 1,250 meters, plus another 28 structures. It is scheduled to be completed in 34 months. HEAD OF EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION AND INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA RELATIONS HEAD OF US CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS AND BRAND Ferrovial held its Shareholders Meeting this Thursday after a year marked by strong operating results and intensive asset rotation during which the company s shares also started trading on Nasdaq... Ferrovial is proud to announce that the Silvertown Tunnel a landmark infrastructure project that will significantly enhance transportation in East London has now officially opened This achievement delivered on behalf... Can try another term or browse the main menu to find what you are looking for. Culture a natural crystal phenomenon that has stunned scientists.IIn abandoned silver mine in Pulpí lies a treasure that's not made from any precious metal at all what's hidden here is the world's largest geode – a natural crystal phenomenon that has stunned scientists "It's the same as the one I have behind me only this one is a super-sized version," she said with a laugh as she pointed over her shoulder this is the biggest ever discovery," she noted which has larger spars (15m long compared to Pulpí's two metres) that geologists found it again and brought it to the world's attention "When [the original miners] blasted this rock and found a geode they probably got upset because they didn't like finding these crystals," said Carretero They weigh a lot and were not profitable." Geologists have found that the anhydrite (the mineral that formed the rocks) in Pulpí is from the time of the dinosaurs about 250 million years ago, but they are uncertain of the age of the gypsum crystals themselves because they contain very little impurities that can be dated. Their estimate is that the crystals started growing less than 2 million years ago And the more perfect the crystal is," said Carretero The mine was opened to the public in 2019 and Carretero's team is carefully monitoring temperature carbon dioxide and humidity to ensure the crystals' safety "More than the carbon dioxide [from human interaction] the humidity is what can really harm the crystals," she said "Because if a layer [of moisture] coats the crystals "I couldn't put into words what I felt when I saw it," said Carretero "It's indescribable because it gives us a sense of how small we are This video is part of BBC Reel's World of Wonder playlist Join more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter called "The Essential List" A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future They seem to have been made by a very specific recipe: a 250-million-year-old supply of the mineral anhydrite larger crystals may have cannibalized smaller ones to boost their own size while swings in the local temperature could have accelerated the crystal growth even further this otherworldly site now has a possible origin story (For more on the giant crystals and their astrobiology implications The plant is more common in Scandinavia than fly agaric and has compounds with greater links to aggression Photograph by BOGNÁR JÁNOS(Learn more surprising facts about the Vikings in this National Geographic cover story.) Overheard at National Geographic.)"},"type":"p","style":{}},{"id":"inline-2","cntnt":{"aspectRatio":"4x3","cmsType":"photogallery","id":"inline-2","media":[{"caption":{"credit":"Photograph by Carsten Peter","text":"Spelunkers rappel 300 feet (90 meters) into the Greenland ice sheet has been awarded the contract to construct the section of high-speed rail between Lorca (Murcia) and Pulpí (Almería) worth €171 million The contract consists of a 31.3 km section of the Murcia-Almería line The project includes construction of a dual track section on the high-speed line between Lorca and Pulpí and includes the remodelling of Pulpí and Puerto Lumbreras stations as well as a new station in the Murcia village of Almendricos The project begins in the municipality of Lorca and will follow part of the existing Lorca-Águilas route spanning 18.6 km which is a single Iberian gauge track with no electrification with 20 km of the current track needing to be dismantled The works to be carried out include construction of the Rincón tunnel ten viaducts or various types of bridges with a total length of 1,250 metres The works are scheduled to be completed within 34 months ACCIONA has the technical capabilities and extensive experience of developing urban mobility solutions The company has carried out 44 projects in seven countries in the last few years Notable examples of completed or under construction projects include the Maya Train Playa del Carmen-Tulum (Mexico) the Sandbukta-Moss-Såstad line (Norway) or the Madrid-Asturias line (Pajares tunnels) I accept Information on data protection In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on Data Protection and with other Data Protection regulations in force you are hereby informed that your personal data shall be processed by Acciona whose identification data are as follows: Tax ID No (NIF): A08001851; Address: Avenida de la Gran Vía de Hortaleza No.: +34 91 663 28 50; email: protecciondedatos@acciona.com Your data shall be processed in order to send you information through the subscription to our Newsletter through electronic means activities and news pertinent to our activity sectors The consent given by the data subject by indicating that they have read and accept this data protection information comprises the lawfulness of processing the subscription Request cannot be satisfied We may also process your satisfaction or preferences Data shall be stored until the elimination is requested we may give access to your data to service providers (such as technology service providers) who assist us in fulfilling this purpose may be located outside of the European Economic Area in territories that do not offer a level of data protection that is comparable to that of the European Union we transfer User data with appropriate safeguards and always ensuring the security of the same The data subject can exercise their rights of access to or rectification and/or the restriction of or objection to the processing of such data by writing the Department of Data Protection located at Avenida de la Gran Vía de Hortaleza 28033 (Madrid) or by sending the form available in the link: FORM If we consider it necessary in order to be able to identify you, we may ask you for a copy of an identity document. Furthermore, at any time the data subject may withdraw the granted consent by contacting the aforementioned address and file a claim to the Supervisory Authority (Agencia Española de Protección de Datos www.aepd.es) You can also unsubscribe from the Newsletter communication For any further information you can visit the Privacy Police on the website https://www.acciona.com/privacy-policy/ please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot Get the most important global markets news at your fingertips with a Bloomberg.com subscription experts in crystallography and crystal growth have paid a visit to Almeria’s Pulpí Geode received the group of scientists at the Town Hall of Pulpí and Professors Mihoko Maruyama and Hiroshi Yoshikawa from the University of Osaka participated last week in the International Conference of Crystal Growth author of the book and documentary “The Mystery of the Giant Crystals” was asked to include a visit to the Mina Rica and the Pulpí Geode during his study trip to the University of Granada The Japanese scientists who are great experts in crystallography were enthusiastic after learning about the Pulpi Geode marvel of the mineral world the scientists agreed to establish cooperation within the framework of the Spanish Japanese Society for Scientific Cooperation Geodes are formations that arise in rocky cavities whose walls have been covered with crystallized minerals projected inwards but the Pulpí Geode is the greatest exponent of this type of formation in all of Europe In December 1999, a committee of experts from the Madrid Mineralogist Group discovered the Pulpí Geode in an old abandoned mine this impressive cave upholstered by countless plaster crystals that can reach two metres in length finally came to light the perfection of its morphology and the optimal state of conservation in which it is found make the Pulpí Geode a true landmark of nature and one of the best geodes in Spain in terms of its conservation and characteristics A delegation of Japanese scientists have visited the town of Pulpí in the province of Almeria to see the world's second largest geode welcomed the crystallography experts at Pulpí town hall and accompanied them on their visit to the natural monument and Professors Mihoko Maruyama and Hiroshi Yoshikawa from the University of Osaka the researchers participated last week in the International Conference of Crystal Growth held in Naples They then asked Professor Juanma García-Ruiz author of the book and documentary The Mystery of Giant Crystals to organise a visit to the Mina Rica and the Pulpí Geode as part of a study trip to the University of Granada who now return home with new knowledge about the wonder of the mineral world in Pulpí also agreed to establish ties with the Spanish Japanese Society This aims to better scientific cooperation between the two countries is in the shape of a rugby ball and measures eight metres long by 1.8 wide and 1.7 high which resemble knives of ice up to two metres long are so astonishingly clear that it is possible to read a book through some of them only one larger than this has been documented and that is in the Naica Crystals Cave in the Mexican state of Chihuahua A geode is the result of a rare combination of accidents and the meticulous work of nature who knows these underground treasures very well a rock cavity fills with hot water with dissolved minerals They have different colours and features depending on the type of materials and the conditions in which they form the rock is a hollow dolomite in which a fissure appeared through which the liquid with calcium sulphate (gypsum) of volcanic origin entered flooding the cavity during tens or hundreds of thousands of years but Juanma García calculates that it was between two million and 90,000 years ago The oscillations of temperature in the Earth's crust during millennia in the Sierra de Aguilón meant that in the interior the smallest crystals dissolved and the biggest ones grew extremely slowly Comentar es una ventaja exclusiva para registrados ADIF Alta Velocidad has awarded the construction of the Riquelme-Torre Pacheco section of the Murcia-Cartagena line to the joint venture (UTE) between ACCIONA (60%)-Azvi (40%) The contract has a value of 130 million euros and a completion period of 36 months The new section will run for 17.7 kilometers through the municipalities of Murcia and Torre Pacheco and will define a new high-speed double-track platform in standard gauge parallel to the existing Chinchilla-Cartagena line in conventional gauge as well as additional expansion and modification works at the Balsicas-Mar Menor and Torre-Pacheco stations and on the existing line These works contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 9 which includes the development of reliable sustainable and high-quality infrastructure The project is financed by the European Union through the NextGenerationEU fund ACCIONA has extensive experience in this type of work having carried out similar works for Adif in the past and currently executing similar contracts such as the undergrounding of Murcia station or the Lorca-Pulpí and Pulpí-Vera sections of the AVE (high-speed train) confirmed that “Pulpi is one of the municipalities that has become an example and a reference for our province especially because it is one of the bastions of the deseasonalisation of tourism.” “More than 200,000 people have already visited this Geode and have been able to enjoy and contemplate the wonders hidden beneath the mountains of Almeria.” members of the Grupo Mineralogista de Madrid discovered the Pulpi Geode a geode about 8 metres long by 2 metres high and covered with enormous gypsum crystals The Pulpí Geode is covered with gypsum crystals Its transparency and state of conservation make it a jewel of nature It is a unique phenomenon worldwide given its dimensions and the perfection Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Do remember to come back and check The Euro Weekly News website for all your up-to-date local and international news stories; remember, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram The Pulpi Geode, is one of the biggest crystal caves ever discovered and is the largest geode that people can actually go inside This geological wonder is found in Mina Rica a deserted silver mine close to Pulpi on the north coast of Almeria It was found in 1999 by members of the Mineralogist Group of Madrid and was opened to the public in August 2019 and thanks to subsequent work this incredible gypsum crystal geode became an international tourist attraction A geode is a void formed by a bubble of air inside volcanic It’s filled with crystals made from mineral deposits This Giant Geode is 8 metres long and 2 metres high covered in massive see-through gypsum crystals that can be up to 2 metres long Stepping inside the geode is like entering a landscape that seems extra-terrestrial with its crystal clad walls The Mina Rica has other interesting geological features besides the Giant Geode of Pulpi and the mineralogy including other geodes of varying sizes can be seen in the mine such as the Geoda Partida and the Geoda de Gollas de Golondrina you can reserve your tickets on the website www.geodapulpi.es and has prices from €10 for ages 8 to 16 to €22 for adults Be aware under 8 years old are not permitted and the taking of photos is strictly prohibited Although your guide will be able to take your photo Tel: +34 950 96 27 27   email: informacion@geodapulpi.es This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page The Murcia-Almería high-speed railway line is being constructed in Spain by Adif Alta Velocidad Contratas y Ventas y Construcciones Sánchez Domínguez Sando The Murcia-Almería high-speed railway project is an integral component of the Mediterranean High-Speed Corridor within the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) The project is being developed by Adif Alta Velocidad (AV) a prominent developer of high-speed railways Encompassing the construction of a 200km railway line the project involves multiple sections and associated rail infrastructure It is designed to support passenger trains travelling at speeds exceeding 250km per hour and freight trains at speeds up to 100km per hour Partially funded by the European Union (EU), the initiative aims to forge a connection between the city of Almería and the Mediterranean corridor, as well as the high-speed line that extends from Madrid through Castile-La Mancha and the Valencian community to the region of Murcia The new line will accommodate passenger trains and freight trains of up to 400m and 750m in length respectively The development is projected to require an investment of €3.58bn ($3.94bn) The Murcia-Almería high-speed railway project is being developed within the provinces of Almería The Murcia-Almería high-speed railway line will comprise sections featuring both single and double tracks The initiative also encompasses the electrification of the entire railway line which will be fitted with a European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) Level 2 signalling system and advanced safety technology the project’s development has been segmented into 17 sections between Almeria and Murcia The contract for the project’s final section involving the passage through Lorca which includes a 2.9km tunnel and the new Sutullena station in Lorca The Lorca to Pulpí segment will consist of 31.3km of a double-track high-speed railbed The section will repurpose 18.6km of the existing Iberian gauge non-electrified single track The section also includes the construction of the Rincón tunnel The 25.7km section between Pulpí and Vera will be a single-track line with an 8.5m-wide railbed for 22km leading to the Vera-Almanzora passenger station The remaining 3.7km from the station will be double-tracked with a 14m-wide railbed The segment also includes the construction of ten viaducts a pedestrian overpass and under and overpasses along the route A new Vera-Almanzora station is set to be constructed close to the junction point of the Pulpí-Vera section a 1.86km tunnel will be constructed to direct the line’s approach to the station from the existing El Puche tunnel The line will connect on the surface level with the Almería station A new intermodal station will also be constructed The Almería station will be renovated and expanded while remaining above ground The expansion will increase the surface coverage of the station by 4,800m² on two floors A new 2,265m² bus station with 26 docks will also be constructed alongside the station’s secondary structure The electrification phase of the project commenced in June 2023 It involves the construction of an electrical substation in Totana and autotransformation centres in Murcia The European Regional Development Fund contributed €411m towards the construction of the Nonduermas-Vera and Los Arejos-El Puche sections The European Commission approved the funding in August 2023 SAITEC secured the drafting contract for the Vera-Almanzora station in April 2023 won a contract valued at €171m ($191m) for the construction of the Lorca to Pulpí railway line section The contract also encompasses the remodelling of the Pulpí and Puerto Lumbreras stations and the creation of a new station at Almendricos including the construction of the Rincón tunnel Ferrovial obtained a separate contract worth €121m in February 2019 to construct the railway line between Pulpí and Vera A consortium comprising Contratas y Ventas and Construcciones Sánchez Domínguez Sando was awarded a contract worth €184m in August 2022 for the construction of the Totana-Totana section (Murcia) Construction firm Sacyr was contracted to build the intermodal station at Almería The Mediterranean Corridor is set to enhance rail capacity and operations and reduce travel times between key cities along the route It will render long-distance passenger services more frequent and dependable The project is expected to improve interoperability and eliminate the need to transfer freight between trains at the Spanish-French border by adopting the standard gauge throughout the corridor The Murcia-Almería high-speed rail line will offer improved rail connections to the corridor and facilitate the transportation of goods it will create a new link from Almería to the heart of the Iberian Peninsula The project will contribute to reducing emissions by encouraging a shift from road to high-speed railway transport It will support sustainable development goals: promoting sustainable infrastructure economic growth with job opportunities and energy efficiency Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network A mine may have been abandoned by its miners but it is still of interest to people who like to search for small minerals either for their own collections or to sell on specialist websites or at fairs and street markets is in the shape of an elongated rugby ball and measures eight metres long by 1.8 wide and 1.7 high but Juan Manuel García calculates that it was between two million and 90,000 years ago The experts don't know how many of these almost magical capsules exist in the Earth's crust but given that they are found at a certain depth it is normal for them to be discovered during excavations to extract minerals for commercial use The Pulpí geode is exceptional in that way because it was never discovered before even though iron lead and silver were extracted from the Mina Rica from the end of the 19th century till 1970 because at that time there was not much sensitivity towards these geological miracles: the picks and explosives crashed through everything in the mine there are the remains of half a dozen other geodes which were split by the excavation and revealed their interior treasure The workers most certainly didn't think they were important and used to take 'diamonds' home as a pretty souvenir without thinking about the fact that they were the result of millions of years of intimate contact between the stone and water After the accidental discovery by a collector a group of local researchers studied the find and notified the relevant authorities to try to guarantee the protection of an extremely fragile treasure However much they tried to keep it a secret rumours spread among mineralogists and they couldn't stop two crystals being stolen before the cavity was sealed and monitored to prevent the curious and looters entering the Junta de Andalucía has still not managed to complete the process of classifying the geode as a piece of geological or natural heritage Pulpí council has always wanted to include the remains of its mining past in the Pilar de Jaravía district on its list of tourist attractions which currently focuses on its ten kilometres of beaches visitors at the San Juan de los Terreros castle on the coast three kilometres from the access to the mine have been able to take a type of tour by putting on 3-D virtual reality glasses Now the council has taken a step further and with help from the Almeria provincial government has invested half a million euros on preparing the site for tourism and making its hidden treasure the first geode open to visitors in the world There are strict rules: visitors are not be able to go inside the geode but can see its interior through a type of window to guarantee their own safety as well as preserve this unique treasure damp and CO2 from people breathing can also damage the crystals," explained Francisco Fernández Amo a geologist from the Tecminsa company which has carried out the project to turn the site into a museum Those who already know the mine are convinced it is a remarkable tourist attraction "The mine has a large variety of minerals and during the visit people will be able to see the insides of dozens of smaller split geodes one of which is 3.5 metres," said the local councillor for Tourism prior to its opening to the public this week The visitors have to wear safety helmets and walk in small groups through the 330 metres of the main gallery where they can take selfies with a split geode and access the 40-metre-high excavation chambers "They are like underground cathedrals," said Fernández Amo but the geological and mining heritage is also fantastic folds and different geological structures." he made a further discovery: some of the minerals that form the walls of the mine are fluorescent when ultraviolet light is shone on them epsomite and aragonite glow in hues of red violet and silver which add to the spectacle of the underground route Inside the mine you can still see the 'cages' used to descend to the depths boxes of explosives and tools used by the miners in different periods as well as packets of cigarettes and old beer bottles visitors are led down steps to the third level - which is at sea level - to access the platform from which the 'treasure cave' When the dissolution of a mineral cools very slowly the atoms are placed in an ordered manner and form polyhedral structures It is a hollow rock whose inside is covered with crystals In geodes like the ones in Pulpí and Naica the water cools over thousands and thousands of years the geologist at the CSIC who took part in surveying the Mexican cave said its crystals grew at the rate of "one human hair per century" metres is the distance travelled on a visit to Mina Rica which is in the Pilar de Jaravía area of Pulpí a few kilometres from the boundary between Almeria and Murcia Tickets cost between 10 and 22 euros and are currently available for dates between 23 September and 13 October Thank you for taking the time to read this news article “Spanish Town Commemorates World Nature Day with Tour of San Juan De Los Terreros”. 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