All articles tagged with #lava tubes
A Nature Communications study using NASA’s Magellan radar data finds a giant subsurface lava tube beneath Venus’ Nyx Mons, about 1 kilometer in diameter and potentially extending at least 45 kilometers, providing the strongest direct evidence yet of Venusian lava tubes; confirming the full extent will require higher-resolution radar data.
Using Finite Element Limit Analysis, researchers estimate Venus could host giant lava tubes hundreds of meters wide—up to about 1 kilometer (0.62 miles)—beneath its harsh surface, forming large subsurface channels; confirming them would require future missions like NASA's DAVINCI and VERITAS to image and probe the subsurface, though extreme conditions and funding debates may delay verification.
New modeling suggests Venus could harbor underground lava tubes up to about 1 kilometer wide, implying a vast subsurface network. Surface radar observations hint at ongoing volcanism, especially at Maat Mons and Idunn Mons, while simulations indicate explosive plumes could reach tens of kilometers into the atmosphere, informing future missions to study Venus's geology and atmospheric chemistry.
Scientists have discovered a mysterious hole on Mars that could be a skylight leading to lava tubes, which may serve as protective habitats for future human explorers by shielding them from radiation and harsh environmental conditions. The hole's exact nature is still under investigation, but it represents a promising avenue for exploring underground refuges on Mars, similar to lunar lava tubes, and could be crucial for sustainable colonization.
Scientists have discovered massive underground lava-carved tunnels on Venus, which are much larger than expected and challenge existing understanding of lava tube formation, potentially offering insights into Venus's volcanic history and future exploration opportunities.
Scientists have confirmed the existence of massive underground lava tubes on Venus, which are similar to those on the Moon but larger, potentially due to Venus' unique geological conditions. These findings could enhance understanding of Venus' geological history and support future exploration missions, such as the European Space Agency's EnVision mission set for 2031.
Researchers demonstrated a team of three autonomous robots exploring a lava tube in Lanzarote, simulating potential future missions to lunar or Martian caves for shelter and scientific research, marking a significant step toward extraterrestrial underground exploration.
China has completed a simulated lunar underground environment in a volcanic lava cave on Earth to test robotic exploration and study lunar lava tubes, which could provide natural shielding on the Moon and Mars, supporting future missions including China's Chang'e 7 and the planned International Lunar Research Station.
An international team of researchers has conducted the first detailed study of minerals and microorganisms in lava tubes on Lanzarote, revealing insights into Earth's ancient ecosystems and potential implications for finding life on Mars. The study, led by Professor Bogdan P. Onac, found that the volcanic rock in these tubes preserves biosignatures, suggesting microbial activity. This research highlights the potential of lava tubes as refuges for microbial life, which could guide future Mars missions in identifying biosignatures.
Italian researchers have discovered a large underground cave on the moon, potentially suitable for human habitation, and suspect there could be hundreds more. These caves, formed from collapsed lava tubes, could offer protection from extreme temperatures and radiation, making them ideal for future lunar bases. The discovery, supported by radar images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, suggests that these caves could also harbor water, crucial for sustaining long-term human presence on the moon and future missions to Mars.
Scientists have confirmed the existence of a sizable cave on the moon, near the Apollo 11 landing site, which could potentially shelter future astronauts. The cave, located at the Sea of Tranquility, was identified using radar data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Researchers believe there could be hundreds of such pits and lava tubes on the moon, offering natural protection from cosmic rays, solar radiation, and micrometeorite strikes, and aiding in the understanding of lunar evolution.
An international research team, led by the University of Trento, has discovered an empty lava tube on the Moon using reanalyzed data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. This finding, published in Nature Astronomy, provides the first direct evidence of lunar caves, which could serve as potential habitats for future lunar missions, offering protection from extreme temperatures, radiation, and meteorite impacts.
Researchers have discovered a substantial underground cave on the moon, accessible from the Mare Tranquillitatis pit, which could serve as an ideal location for a future lunar base. The cave, likely an empty lava tube, offers natural protection against the harsh lunar environment and could be crucial for long-term lunar missions. The discovery, revealed through NASA's lunar reconnaissance orbiter data, highlights the potential of such caves for human habitats, providing stable temperatures and shielding from cosmic rays and micrometeorites.
A deep pit on Mars, captured by NASA's HiRISE camera, has intrigued scientists due to its potential as a shelter for future manned missions. The pit, formed by volcanic activity, could lead to underground caverns, which are essential for protection against radiation and dust storms. This discovery could significantly aid in planning future Mars missions.
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has captured an image of a nearly perfectly circular pit on Mars, intriguing scientists about its formation and potential as a shelter for future astronauts. The pit, located near the Arsia Mons volcano, may lead to a network of lava tubes, which could offer protection from cosmic radiation and dust storms. However, current Martian rovers lack the capability to explore these underground formations, and further research is needed to determine their viability for human habitation.