Cave research, Mexico. Researcher exploring Cueva de Villa Luz (Cave of the Lighted House) in southern Mexico. This cave includes natural shafts that

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Cave research, Mexico. Researcher exploring Cueva de Villa Luz (Cave of the Lighted House) in southern Mexico. This cave includes natural shafts that allow sunlight to illuminate the limestone rock, which inspired the name given by the local Zoque people. The waters in the cave (lower left) are rich in the poisonous gas hydrogen sulphide, requiring explorers to wear gas masks. The hydrogen sulphide also forms the basis of a chemical food chain and ecosystem, rather than one based on sunlight.

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Photo credit: © VINCENT AMOUROUX, MONA LISA PRODUCTION/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
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