Recently, moon lava tubes are becoming one of the most talked-about subjects in space science. Scientists believe that massive underground lava tubes may be present deep under the moon’s dusty surface. They also believe that, one day these tunnels may help humans to survive outside of the earth. Earlier scientists thought that the moon was a cold and empty world only filled with rocks and craters. But the spacecraft revolving around the moon changes their perspective towards the moon completely. Now they think huge underground tubes may stretch beneath parts of the lunar surface. These tunnels are protected from the direct exposure to sunlight and the external-space dangers.

Life is extremely difficult on the moon’s surface. When astronauts visit the moon, they have to face deadly radiation, extreme temperatures, and risks from high-speed tiny rocks called micrometeorites. In such harsh conditions, forming a safe habitat would be extremely difficult. This is the reason why scientists think moon lava tubes could become natural underground shelters for humans during upcoming future lunar missions. The idea of living inside huge underground tunnels formed by volcanic activities sounds like science fiction movies. But scientists get evidence that suggests the moon lava tubes may truly exist.

Invisible black holes moving in our galaxy

What Exactly Are Moon Lava Tubes?

Moon lava tubes are the underground tunnels that may exist deep under the moon’s surface. Scientists believe that these tunnels may have formed billions of years ago when the moon was volcanically active. Billions of years ago, the moon contained flowing lava that was similar to earth’s volcanic eruptions. As the lava moved across the lunar surface, over time the upper layer of lava got cooled and hardened while molten lava continued flowing under it. After time the inside of the drain flowed away and left hollow tunnels under the surface behind. Earth also contains similar lava tubes under the surface in some places like Hawaii and Iceland. There is a difference between Earth’s lava tube and Moo’s lava tube. Lunar lava tubes are much larger because the moon has much weaker gravity than earth. Many scientists believe that some moon lava tubes may be several miles wide and hundreds of miles long. If it is true, then moon lava tubes become one of the largest underground lava tubes ever found by humans in our solar system. These lava tubes catch scientists’ attention through their enormous scale so that earth’s space agencies are studying them very seriously.

Why Is Living On The Moon So Dangerous?

Survival of life on the moon’s surface is very difficult for humans, so scientists are interested in moon lava tubes. The moon has no atmosphere and magnetic fields that protect us from harmful radiation coming from space, like our earth has. Dangerous cosmic rays and radiations are constantly attacking the lunar surface. If we live there between these dangerous radiations, then over time these radiations would cause damage to human health and increase the chance of cancer for our astronauts. The moon also has temperature problems. During the daytime, the temperature rises up to 250°F (121°C) on the moon’s surface, and during the nighttime, the temperature may drop up to -200°F (-129°C). This extreme temperature swing makes very difficult conditions for humans to survive. Tiny rocks are always moving at high speed there and strike the moon because the moon has no atmosphere to burn them. These are some of the dangers that astronauts face on the surface. But scientists believe moon lava tubes may protect us from all of these surface dangers.

How Moon Lava Tubes Could Protect Future Astronauts

Moon lava tubes are capable of providing many protections that humans would need for long-term lunar missions.

• One of the major dangers is the large amount of radiation that comes from space and the sun. The thick rocks above the underground tunnels may help in blocking these dangerous radiations. Scientists strongly believe that even rocks a few meters deep could reduce radiation as compared to the open surface.
• Another major danger is extreme temperature swings on the moon’s surface. Scientists believe the temperature in an underground tube may be far more stable than the surface temperature. Humans can live in much safer conditions inside the moon’s lava tubes instead of experiencing extreme heat and freezing cold like on the surface.
• Another major danger is continuously moving small rocks at high speed, called micrometeorites. These tunnels also act as a protective shield for future habitats from these tiny rocks.

These are some natural protections scientists see in underground lava tubes on the moon. That’s why scientists see them as possible base locations for their future lunar missions. Instead of carrying massive protective gear from the earth, scientists might use the moon’s safe locations for their bases.

Could humans eventually build entire bases underground?

Some scientists believe if these tunnels are stable enough, then future missions may create underground bases inside the moon’s lava tubes. Astronomers may install their living quarters, laboratories, storage systems, and life support systems in underground lava tubes on the moon in the future. They believe that underground tunnels may provide safer environmental conditions than the moon’s surface for long-duration moon missions. It can reduce radiation exposure and provide safety from the extreme temperature of the moon. Some scientists thought that these lava tubes could provide enough space to set their large habitats in the future. This idea is not as simple as we think; of course there are major challenges to settling on everything. Still, scientists have to confirm the size, stability, and safety for their astronauts inside these tunnels. What if other unknown dangers might be waiting for us inside moon lava tubes? Before humans go inside, first robotic missions will check these areas for their safety purpose.

Conclusion

Today this idea of living inside the lava tubes on the moon feels totally futuristic and like science fiction. But scientists collect evidence that suggests moon lava tubes could become the safest place for the scientists during future long-duration lunar missions. These naturally formed underground lava tubes on the moon may protect us from the several dangers that we are facing on the moon’s surface, including extreme temperature, radiation exposure, and impacts from the space debris. Still many questions remain unanswered, but these tubes may play a major role in future moon bases and also in future Mars missions.