Marvel at the Magnificent Marble Caves [35 PICS]

June 28th, 2011 Permalink

In Patagonia, South America, General Carrera Lake is shared by Argentina and Chile. But on the Chilean side of the beautiful emerald-green to turquoise-blue waters, there are breathtakingly beautiful marble caves carved into passageways and caverns. These amazing marble formations were sculpted by erosion into three main marble formations: La Capilla (the Chapel), El Catedral (the Cathedral), and La Cueva (the Cave). The impressive labyrinth of marble caves are large enough for a small boat to glide into. Here are those magnificent marble caves. [35 Photos]

Reserva Nacional Cavernas de Marmol - Lago General Carrera Cavernas de Marmol - Patagonia Chilena

Incredibly beauty to be found at the Marble Caverns on General Carrera Lake in Patagonia, Chile. Photo #1 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

Beautiful blue Marble Cathedral

This beautiful blue marble cave is known as the Marble Cathedral. Photo #2 by © Jorge Leon Cabello



Marble Cave National Reserve - Lake General Carrera

The Spanish call these caves “Las Cavernas de Marmol.” Photo #3 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

get out and explore Marble wonders on Chile side of Lake General Carrera

Get out and explore marble wonders on the Chile side of Lake General Carrera. Photo #4 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

enchantment at marble cathedral

It’s easy to be enchanted with the stunning natural beauty of the marble caverns. Photo #6 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

Blue marbled caverns

Can you imagine something happening that would endanger these exquisite azure caverns? It might if Chile continues with plans to build five hydro-power dams in Patagonia. Photo #7 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

kayak into Marble Cathedral

Using a kayak is a popular means to explore the Marble Cathedral. Photo #8 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

Marble Cathedral's  La Cueva - the Cave

This is La Cueva – the Cave. Photo #9 by Feffef

Looking out on Lake General Carrera from Marble Catherdral

Looking out on Lake General Carrera from Marble Cathedral. Photo #10 by Claudio Alvarado Solari

general carrera lake, inside marmol caverns, Aysen region-Chile

The water has eroded the marble to create cavities and marble caves. There are different color shades, depending on the contents’ impurities. There are white banks of great purity, but it is also possible to find blue and pink marble banks due to the presence of other minerals. Photo #11 by Nico14uc

Lago General Carrera, XI Región, Chile Catedral de Marmol V

This would be quite the adventure on General Carrera Lake to see the marble caves. Photo #12 by Juan Pablo Garnham

Cathedral Lake General Carrera

There is a campaign being waged to save the lake and the caves, to save Patagonia. Photo #13 by Gripe1976

entering marvelous marble caverns

Entering marvelous marble caverns. Photo #14 by Claudio Alvarado Solari

Patagonia, Chile, looks like something off a postcard . . . or out of a dream

Patagonia, Chile, looks like something off a postcard . . . or out of a dream. Photo #15 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

Capilla de Marmol

This shot was taken from inside The Chapel. Photo #16 by Gripe1976

Capilla de Marmol - The Chapel

Capilla de Marmol – The Chapel. Photo #17 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

geological formations on Chilean side of General Carrera Lake

Amazing geological formations on Chilean side of Lake Carrera. On the Argentinian side, the lake is called Lago Buenos Aires but it does not have these marvelous marble caverns. Photo #18 by Claudio Alvarado Solari

opening to marble caves and aquamarine water

Opening to marble caves and tranquil aquamarine water. Photo #19 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

Gorgeous General Carrera Lake

Gorgeous General Carrera Lake. Photo #20 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

Awesome Catedrales de Mármol

This awesome shot of swirling marble colors is of The Cathedral. Photo #21 by Ricardo Alfaro

Quiet on Lago General Carrera Chile

Quiet on Lago General Carrera Chile. Photo #22 by Ricardo Alfaro

Kayaking Cathedral Marble - Patagonia Chile

Kayaking to explore Marble Cathedral, The Chapel, and The Cave in Patagonia. Photo #23 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

Approaching Marble Cathedral

It would be a real shame if the hydro-power dams damage the lake and the marble caves on top of the surrounding natural habitats for wildlife. Photo #24 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

beauty on General Carrera Lake

Beauty on General Carrera Lake. Photo #25 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

caves carved into the marble

Caves carved into the marble. Photo #26 by Claudio Alvarado Solari

Chilean side of General Carrera Lake

Impressive labyrinth of marble caverns. Photo #27 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

Journey to Marble Cathedral

There is little wonder why these natural rock formations are so popular with tourists. Photo #28 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

marvel at the Chilean marble cathedral

Marvel at the Chilean Marble Cathedral. Photo #29 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

The Cathedral

This art carved out by nature and erosion looks like a fantasy location for a film. Photo #30 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

View of the lake where it find the marmol caverns, Aysen region-Chile

View of the lake and where to find the marble caverns in the Aysen region of Chile. Photo #32 by Nico14uc

Pretty Patagonia Chile - Lake General Carrera

Pretty Patagonia, Chile. Photo #33 by © Jorge Leon Cabello

Waves on Lake General Carrera

Waves on Lake Carrera. Photo #34 by Claudio Jofré Larenas

Lake General Carrera - Patagonia Chile

Last look over Lake General Carrera – Patagonia, Chile. Photo #35 by © Jorge Leon Cabello



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