KEY POINTS
- Researchers identified a cavernous underground conduit on Venus using archival NASA radar data.
- The structure is significantly larger than similar lava tubes found on Earth and Mars.
- This discovery provides the first direct evidence of subsurface volcanic features on the planet.
A team of planetary scientists has discovered a vast underground lava tube on Venus, marking the first time a subsurface feature has ever been detected on Earth’s neighboring planet. The findings, published this week in the journal Nature Communications, resulted from a fresh analysis of radar data collected by NASA’s Magellan spacecraft in the early 1990s. While scientists have long theorized that such structures existed due to the planet’s extensive volcanic history, this study offers the first direct confirmation.
The identified lava tube is located on the western flank of Nyx Mons, a massive shield volcano in the planet’s northern hemisphere. Researchers utilized a newly developed data-analysis technique to peer through the thick, noxious Venusian clouds that have historically hidden the planet’s surface details. The data revealed a large underground cavity consistent with lava tubes found in volcanic regions on Earth, the moon, and Mars.
The dimensions of the Venusian lava tube are remarkably vast, far exceeding those of similar structures on other celestial bodies. The conduit is estimated to have an average diameter of roughly 0.6 miles (1 km), with an empty internal cavity reaching a height of at least 1,230 feet (375 meters). The roof protecting this underground void is estimated to be at least 490 feet (150 meters) thick. While only an initial portion of the tube was directly observed, experts believe the entire structure could stretch for several miles.
Lava tubes are natural tunnels formed when the surface of a lava flow solidifies while the molten rock beneath continues to move. Once the eruption ends and the lava drains away, a hollow tunnel remains. The presence of such a massive tube suggests that Venus experienced intense and sustained volcanic activity. Scientists believe these findings will be critical for future exploration, as underground cavities could offer protection from the planet’s extreme surface temperatures and crushing atmospheric pressure.
The discovery highlights the importance of re-examining archival mission data with modern technology. This breakthrough provides a deeper understanding of the geological processes that shaped Venus’ evolution and its current surface. It also sets the stage for upcoming international missions, such as ESA’s Envision and NASA’s VERITAS, which are equipped with advanced radar systems specifically designed to probe beneath the Venusian surface.
