Mars' Hidden Water Caves: Chinese Scientists Uncover Ancient Aquatic Past

• Chinese scientists discovered eight unusual cave formations in Mars' Hebrus Valles, suggesting ancient water activity.
• Unlike volcanic caves, these are believed to be karst-like, formed by chemical erosion from underground water flow.
• Data from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor and Thermal Emission Spectrometer revealed carbonates and sulfates, indicating water-rock interaction.
• These subsurface caves could have provided shelter for potential Martian life, protecting microorganisms from harsh surface conditions.
• The discovery, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, strengthens evidence of Mars' dynamic and potentially habitable past, marking caves as key targets for future missions.

Why It Matters: New Martian caves suggest ancient subsurface water, boosting hopes for past life and future exploration.