Researchers have long speculated about lava tubes beneath Venus’s surface, but new findings confirm their existence. A team from Italy, using old radar data, has discovered an empty lava tube on Venus, which is often called Earth’s twin. This marks a significant breakthrough in our understanding of the planet’s geology.
Lorenzo Bruzzone, who leads the Remote Sensing Laboratory at the University of Trento, shared, “This finding allows us to validate long-standing theories about Venus.” He emphasizes that it deepens our knowledge of how Venus has developed over time. This research was documented in a recent study published in Nature Communications.
The team analyzed radar images from NASA’s Magellan spacecraft, which mapped Venus in the early ’90s. They identified surface collapses that hinted at underground conduits, known as skylights. Bruzzone explained that these are areas where the tube’s roof has caved in, much like an architectural skylight.
In their discovery near Nux Mons, they found a large underground channel estimated to be about 0.62 miles (1 kilometer) wide, with a roof thickness exceeding 492 feet (150 meters). They suspect that the lava tube could extend for at least 28 miles (45 kilometers) beyond what they observed and called for more advanced radar data to explore further.
Historically, Venus has showcased signs of volcanic activity, shaping its unique landscape. Unlike Earth, where conditions reveal lava tubes more readily, Venus’s thick clouds obscure its surface. Therefore, radar is crucial for investigating this hidden geology. Interestingly, lava tubes on the Moon may one day serve as shelters for astronauts, and Earth’s own formations have been explored by adventurers.
Venus’s lava tubes are larger than those found on Earth, reflecting the planet’s more extensive volcanic systems. The upcoming missions, NASA’s Veritas and the European Space Agency’s EnVision, aim to provide new data with sophisticated radar systems. Bruzzone noted that EnVision will be equipped with a Subsurface Radar Sounder, allowing deeper exploration without needing surface openings.
This discovery marks just the start of an exciting journey into Venusian geology, with the potential to reveal even more secrets hidden beneath its clouds.
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astrogeology,Lava,venus,Volcanoes
