"Although CAS has not provided a definitive explanation regarding the formation process of the polygons, they state that it is highly likely that these polygons formed through the connection with the freezing and thawing cycles that occur during the winter and spring on Mars. If elaborated further, in the document prepared by CAS, they estimate that the polygons may have formed during the Late Hesperian period, which is around the early formation of Mars approximately 3.7 to 2.9 billion years ago."

The latest discoveries from the Chinese exploration mission also revealed that several hundred million years ago, Mars experienced floods that formed the polygons that have just been discovered. This additional information, along with the discovery of water on Mars hundreds of millions of years ago, provides clues to researchers that in the past, Mars may have supported life before it transformed into a very hot planet.