A recent discovery on Mars has scientists intrigued: a hole on the planet’s surface that could potentially lead to a larger underground cavern. This pit, located in the Arsia Mons region and captured by NASA’s HiRISE camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), raises questions about what lies beneath the Martian surface.
Such structures could offer natural shelters for human visitors
The pit, only a few meters across, maybe a collapsed section of a lava tube, known as a skylight. Such structures could offer natural shelters for human visitors, protecting them from the harsh Martian environment, including radiation, temperature fluctuations, and dust storms. Similar features are found on Earth and the Moon, providing access to extensive underground lava tubes.
Arsia Mons is part of the Tharsis Montes group, a region shaped by ancient volcanic activity. The Tharsis Region, a vast volcanic plain, is elevated and spans thousands of kilometers. This region’s history suggests that pits like the one discovered could result from collapsed lava tubes or volcanic activity.
Uncertainty surrounding the Mars pit
While the pit could be an entrance to a lava tube, there’s uncertainty about its nature. It might be a cylindrical pit or shaft, similar to pit craters found on Hawaiian volcanoes, which don’t connect to extensive caves or tubes but result from deep underground collapses.
Scientists have a better understanding of lunar lava pits and tubes, which are known to be thermally stable and offer glimpses of boulder-covered floors. Conceptual designs for robots to explore these lunar caves are already underway, considering the potential for astronauts to take shelter in inflatable habitats inside these tubes.
Mars’ weaker gravity compared to Earth suggests that it could host much larger lava tubes. Images of Mars show rilles, which are collapsed tubes, indicating the likelihood of intact lava tubes. One pit on the Martian volcano Pavis Mons hints at an underground void, possibly a lava tube that could dwarf those on Earth.
While the existence of Martian lava tubes remains uncertain, scientists are optimistic. These structures could one day provide essential shelter for astronauts, protecting them from the planet’s extreme conditions. The discovery of the Arsia Mons pit is a step towards understanding these potential natural refuges on Mars.