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Large Caves Found on the Surface of Mars

Posted by Zonk on from the oh-crap-i'd-better-move-my-stuff dept.

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.'"

12 of 191 comments (clear)

  1. Surprise? by Enderandrew · · Score: 4, Insightful

    We know Venus has mountains and valleys. We know Mars has mountains and valleys.

    Should be at all surprised to find caves on Mars?

    I thought we already believed that all solid planets had plate activity like Earth, that formed the mountains and valleys. Aren't caves a natural extension of that thought process?

    I thought this was a given.

    --
    http://blindscribblings.com - Tasty pop-culture in conceptual fashion.
    1. Re:Surprise? by thelexx · · Score: 4, Interesting

      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
    2. Re:Surprise? by Red+Flayer · · Score: 4, Informative

      I thought we already believed that all solid planets had plate activity like Earth, that formed the mountains and valleys. Aren't caves a natural extension of that thought process?
      Not necessarily. Most caves on earth are not caused by pyroclastic flow, but rather by (acidic) flowing water dissolving calcite in limestone.
      --
      "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
  2. Ack Ack Ack! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    We come in peace!

    Ack Ack Ack! Ack Ack ACKACK!

    Do not run! We are your friends!

  3. No matter how much changes... by goofyheadedpunk · · Score: 4, Insightful

    > Caves on Mars could become habitats for future explorers...

    Does anyone else find it slightly amusing that as humans move out into space we may yet again end up living in caves?

    --

    What if the entire Universe were a chrooted environment with everything symlinked from the host?
  4. caves a good spot to land by wizardforce · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.
  5. Black Areas by AeroIllini · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...said Glenn Cushing of Northern Arizona University, who first spotted the black areas in the photographs. "Uh oh, looks like someone smudged the photo."

    *rubs finger on photo*

    "Hmm. Guess they're caves, then."
    --
    For security, the MD5 hash of this message and sig is 09f911029d74e35bd84156c5635688c0.
  6. 2001 A space odyssey by Profane+MuthaFucka · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Part of the symbolism of the space baby at the end of the movie is that people are masters of the Earth, but we're infants in space. We're vulnerable, and have to learn and practice even simple things like moving from one end of the spacecraft to the other in a spacesuit. We wear diapers up there.

    If we're going to be on Mars, it is therefore fitting that we should be cavemen. That's where we started, and that's where we will start again.

    --
    Fascism trolls keeping me up every night. When I starts a preachin', he HITS ME WITH HIS REICH!
    1. Re:2001 A space odyssey by VWJedi · · Score: 5, Funny

      It's hard to believe that such an insightful statement could come from a "Profane MuthaFucka".

  7. WHAT? by corifornia · · Score: 5, Funny

    Holes? In the ground?

    --
    crap.
  8. Re:Wait, what? by pilgrim23 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Arne Saknussemm; where are you now that we need you?

    --
    - Minutus cantorum, minutus balorum, minutus carborata descendum pantorum.
  9. Re:spelunking by mad.frog · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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/