After a 102min cavitation experiment performed in an ultrasonic vibration system, needle-like erosion pits appeared on a polished stainless steel surface, and a special ring area was formed around each pit. The shape of the pit and the plastic deformation of the ring area indicate that the mechanical impaction on the surface is the main reason for the cavitation erosion. On the other hand, the iridescent color, the decreased surface hardness and the appearance of the precipitated carbon ring prove that the ring area has experienced a tempering process with the temperature higher than 30002°C. Also, the lack of oxygen in the ring area proves that it is not a chemical oxygen result.