Mysterious ‘Hole’ on the Flank of an Ancient Volcano on Mars Could Shelter Humans: Research

A recent discovery on Mars has generated significant excitement among planetary scientists and space exploration enthusiasts. 

A mysterious pit crater, imaged by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter on August 15, 2022, offers intriguing possibilities for future human exploration of the Red Planet. 

Located on a lava flow of the extinct volcano Arsia Mons, this pit could potentially provide a sheltered environment for astronauts and even hypothetical Martian life.

A Window into the Red Planet's Subsurface

The pit, which measures only a few meters across, was captured by the orbiter from about 159 miles (256 kilometers) above Mars' surface. 

It is one of many similar pits found on the flanks of a trio of large volcanoes in the Tharsis region. 

Scientists are eager to determine whether this pit leads to a larger cavern or is merely a narrow, vertical shaft. 

The formation of such pits is often linked to volcanic activity, where underground lava tubes form as the volcano grows extinct, leaving behind hollow channels that sometimes collapse to create pits.

One of the primary reasons these pits are of great interest is their potential to provide shelter for future astronauts. 

Mars' thin atmosphere and lack of a global magnetic field mean that radiation levels on the surface are significantly higher than on Earth, averaging between 40 and 50 times greater. 

A subterranean habitat within a pit or cave could offer much-needed protection from this harmful radiation, making it a safer option for human explorers.

Beyond their practical applications for human exploration, these pits may hold significant astrobiological interest. 

The sheltered environments of these pits could have provided a safe haven for microbial life, if it ever existed on Mars. 

The consistent temperatures and protection from radiation and surface conditions could make these caves ideal locations to search for signs of past or present life.

Geological Insights

The presence of these pits on the flanks of volcanoes like Arsia Mons is a clue to their volcanic origin. 

Lava tubes, formed by flowing lava that later drains away, leave behind long, hollow tubes. 

If the tube’s ceiling collapses in small areas, it results in the formation of pits like those seen on Mars. 

These features are not unique to Mars; similar formations are found on Earth and the moon, providing valuable comparative geology.

While some pits on Mars have been imaged with sunlight illuminating their walls, suggesting they are deep, vertical shafts, the true depth and nature of these pits remain a mystery. 

They could either be contained depressions or gateways to extensive subterranean networks. 

This uncertainty underscores the need for future missions to explore these pits more thoroughly. 

A rover may not be able to descend into these pits, but an airborne mission, similar to NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter, could provide the necessary reconnaissance.

A Vision for Future Missions

If these pits do indeed open into larger caves, they could become prime sites for future crewed missions to Mars. 

Establishing a basecamp in a sheltered pit would offer significant protection from the planet's harsh surface conditions, facilitating longer and more sustainable human presence on Mars.

The discovery of this pit on the flank of Arsia Mons represents a tantalizing glimpse into the hidden potential of Mars' subsurface. 

Whether for the purpose of human shelter or the search for Martian life, these mysterious pits hold the promise of exciting discoveries. 

As we look to future missions that will delve deeper into these enigmatic formations, we may find that these ancient volcanic features play a crucial role in the next great chapter of Mars exploration.a