May potentially result in a lava tube. - Scientists ponder over Mars' mysterious gap.
A narrow mine with a diameter of just a few meters lies in the Arsia Mons region, named after one of the three dormant volcanoes in the Tharsis-Montes group. This region could be evidence of older volcanic activity.
The massive Tharsis Basin, found in the Tharsis region, is an expansive volcanic area covering thousands of kilometers. It stands tall above Mars' normal altitude by about ten kilometers. Possibly, these mines are collapsed skylights or exposed lava tubes.
Hesitation arises concerning the identity of the photographed trench as an actual lava mine. It could just be a regular mine or a shaft, not the entrance to a cave or lava tubes.
Lava mines on the Moon
Much is known about the lunar caves and lava tubes compared to those on Mars. It's established that some lunar caves and tubes maintain stability at approximately 17 degrees Celsius. There are more detailed images, revealing floors filled with rock fragments.
Plans are being made to use robots to investigate these lunar caves and lava tubes. Astronauts might also take refuge in these spaces to guard against temperature changes, radiation, and micro-meteorites, similar to Mars.
