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Large Caves Found on the Surface of Mars
David DelMonte writes "Space.com is reporting on the discovery of seven dark spots near the Equator on Mars. The thinking is that these are cave openings. The openings are the size of football fields, and one of them is thought to extend approximately 400 feet below the surface.'The researchers hope the discovery will lead to more focused spelunking on Mars. "Caves on Mars could become habitats for future explorers or could be the only structures that preserve evidence of past or present microbial life ," said Glenn Cushing of Northern Arizona University, who first spotted the black areas in the photographs.'"
Mars has no global magnetic field to deflect solar radiation which means that when humans go there they will be exposed to alot of deadly radiation- if we want to stay on mars we need a place that is safe- caves are one such place. they shield agaisnt radiation and make it easier to build habitats. this discovery could allow humans to colonize mars.
Sigs are too short to say anything truly profound so read the above post instead.
Speculation, no matter how informed and certain, is never as good as proof.
"Gold still represents the ultimate form of payment in the world." - Alan Greenspan, 1999
Actually, "spelunking" isn't really used in that way (at least in the USA) by people who regularly explore caves; "caving" is the preferred term.
For reasons that aren't completely clear, "spelunker" has come to mean "person who goes in caves without proper equipment or training" among American cavers. (At caving conventions, you'll see bumper stickers that read "Cavers Rescue Spelunkers".)
See Wikipedia for more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caving
For more info in general (at least on USA caving), check out the website of the National Speleological Society: http://www.caves.org/
or the chat forum, http://www.cavechat.org/