Newly discovered Moon caves could shelter astronauts as they set up lunar bases!

The Moon isn’t necessarily the most practical piece of real estate. Not only are there no great schools or neighbourhoods around, you have to endure an onslaught of cancer-causing cosmic radiation basically all the time. However, scientists may have found a way around this, and it involves taking a step back to our primitive roots.

In the Mare Tranquillitatis, the same ancient lava plain where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first set foot over half a century ago, researchers have identified a substantial underground cave accessible from the surface. This discovery could be a game-changer for establishing a lunar base, providing a natural refuge from the moon's extreme conditions.

A cosy interior

Using radar data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), scientists found that the deepest known pit on the moon leads to a vast cave, 45 metres wide and up to 80 metres long — an area equivalent to 14 tennis courts. Situated about 150 metres below the surface, this cave is likely an empty lava tube, a remnant of the moon’s volcanic past. These lava tubes could serve as ideal habitats, offering protection from cosmic rays, solar radiation, and micrometeorites.
Lunar orbiters had first spotted pits more than a decade ago, many of which are believed to be “skylights” leading to these subterranean lava tubes. These caves offer a stable temperature environment and natural shielding, making them prime candidates for human bases or emergency shelters on the moon.

“The main advantage of caves is that they make available the main structural parts of a possible human base without requiring complex construction activities,” explained study author Leonardo Carrer. However, assessing the structural stability of these caves and reinforcing their walls and ceilings will be crucial. Monitoring systems for seismic activity and designated safe areas for astronauts will be essential for ensuring safety.

200 lunar base opportunities!

The cave in Mare Tranquillitatis, surrounded by vertical or overhanging walls and leading to a sloping floor, has piqued researchers’ interest. It may hold clues to the moon’s formation and volcanic history, with potential deposits of water ice essential for long-term lunar missions and colonisation. At least 200 pits have been identified on the moon, many of which could open into these vast underground networks.

Accessing these caves is another challenge, however. Considering that these pits are at least a 100 metres deep, there is a very real chance of loose debris posing risks of avalanches. Despite these challenges, the potential for these caves to support human life on the moon is immense.
As space agencies prepare for humans to return to the moon, the exploration and potential habitation of these lunar caves represent a significant step forward. The moon’s once-perilous conditions are now seen through a new lens— one that envisions a future where lunar real estate becomes not just a possibility, but a reality.

The findings of this research have been published in Nature Astronomy and can be accessed here.