Home / Science / Radar Reveals Secret Lava Tube on Venus
Radar Reveals Secret Lava Tube on Venus
9 Feb
Summary
- Scientists found a large subsurface lava tube on Venus.
- Radar data from NASA's Magellan spacecraft revealed the tube.
- This discovery offers insight into Venus's geological evolution.
Scientists have identified what they believe to be a subsurface lava tube on Venus, a significant discovery that could unlock secrets of the planet's past. The finding was made possible by radar images from NASA's Magellan spacecraft, which orbited Venus between 1990 and 1992. These radar observations allowed researchers to penetrate Venus's dense clouds and detect a large volcanic cavity in the Nyx Mons region.
The detected structure is interpreted as a possible lava tube with an estimated diameter of about one kilometer and a roof thickness of at least 150 meters. The void beneath the roof is estimated to be no less than 375 meters deep. This discovery is particularly important because it provides the first direct observation of processes occurring beneath the surface of Venus, confirming theories about the existence of such volcanic cavities.
Previous detection of lava tubes has occurred on the Moon and Mars, but finding one on Venus is more challenging due to its thick atmospheric clouds. The identification of this subsurface conduit contributes significantly to understanding the processes that have shaped Venus's evolution. With upcoming missions by NASA and the European Space Agency, scientists hope to gather more high-resolution data to further explore the planet's geology.
