Hidden Lava Tubes Hint at a Subsurface Network Beneath Venus
TL;DR Summary
Researchers analyzing radar data from the Magellan mission detected what appears to be a large underground lava tube beneath Venus, near the Nux Mons region. The tube is about 1 kilometer wide, with a roof around 150 meters thick and a hollow cavity at least 375 meters high, marking the first confirmed subsurface feature on Venus and supporting long-held ideas about the planet’s volcanic activity. If confirmed, there may be more tubes beneath Venus’ surface, a task for upcoming radar-focused missions VERITAS and EnVision, planned to launch around 2031.
- Scientists Found a Massive Lava Tube Hiding Beneath the Surface of Venus Gizmodo
- Radar-based observation of a lava tube on Venus Nature
- What are lava tubes? First underground cavities discovered on Venus USA Today
- Venus Hides City-Sized Lava Tunnels Beneath Its Toxic Skies Orbital Today
- Evidence of volcanic activity on Venus confirmed for first time communitynewspapergroup.com
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