Huge caves can exist beneath the surface of the moon

An Example of a Possible Lava Tube A

theoretical study of moon structure data from NASA’s recent space mission allows for the existence of huge lava tubes up to several kilometers in diameter beneath its surface . Such natural voids can serve as a reliable shelter from radiation, meteorites and temperature changes for future lunar settlements. The work was presented on May 17 at a conference on the study of the moon and planets.

Mission grailwas held in 2012. Two artificial moon satellites examined its gravitational field and internal structure. According to research results, for example, it turned out that the thickness of the lunar crust is only about 30 km - much less than previously thought.

In his graduation work, a graduate of the American University of Purdue conducted theoretical studies and found that the results of the GRAIL measurements are in excellent agreement with the existence of 1-2 kilometers in diameter voids beneath the lunar surface. Exits of voids to the surface with a diameter of up to 100 m were already found in earlier observations. Due to low gravity and the absence of natural erosion, the maximum diameter of a stable lunar cave can reach 5 km. If such caves are found, they will be a great place to start colonizing the moon.