HONG KONG: Lava tubes on the moon large enough to host whole cities could be structurally safe enough for humans to colonise, researchers have said.
In a theoretical study presented at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, scientists said lava tunnels on the moon could be an important base for human space exploration because – should they exist – they could provide shelter from extreme temperatures, cosmic radiation and meteorite impacts.
Jay Melosh, from Purdue University in Indiana, said there is some evidence, including the “sinuous rilles” that have been observed on the lunar surface, that suggests if these lava tubes do exist they could be “really big”.
Lava tubes are tunnels formed by lava flow from volcanic eruptions. As the edge of the lava cools, it forms a pipe-like crust around the flowing river of molten rock. When the eruption ends and the lava flow stops, the pipe drains to leave behind a hollow tunnel.
Sinuous rilles are large channels visible on the surface of the moon. They are thought to be formed by lava flows and reach up to 10km in width.
Study leader David Blair was looking to find out if empty lava tubes measuring more than 1km in width could be structurally sound – and findings showed they would. Tube stability depended on the width, roof thickness and the stress state of the cooled lava. The team modelled the tubes across a range of variables.
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