AZOREAN LAVA TUBE SYSTEMS: A PROPOSAL FOR A NEW PLANETARY ANALOG SITE TOWARDS FUTURE LUNAR AND MARTIAN EXPLORATION RESEARCH

摘要

The significance of analog studies using lava tubes on Earth to inform on the design of future lunar and Martian missions is aimed at exploring and utilising those structures as potential habitats on those planetary bodies. Lava tubes, natural subsurface cavities formed by volcanic activity, have several characteristics that make them appealing for human habitation on the Moon and Mars. Researchers conducting analog studies on Earth can gain valuable insights into the geological, environmental, engineering, crew and robotic challenges associated with lunar or Martian lava tube exploration and housing. This work reviews some scientific characteristics of an Azorean lava tube system that can contribute towards analog studies and their potential to help plan and design lunar and Martian missions. Human and robotic planetary exploration has garnered considerable attention recently, focusing on identifying potential habitats for future human missions. Lava tubes, formed by molten lava flowing beneath the solidified crust, offer natural subsurface shelters with numerous advantages for lunar or Martian habitation. This work provides insight into one of a lava tube structures, in Terceira island in the Azores archipelago. This structure would be adequate for analog studies that can contribute to the design of missions, providing valuable protocols for geological, geophysical and engineering tasks and potentially facilitating the development of sustainable lunar or Martian habitats.