Tag Archives: lava

Lava Tubes Hold Secrets of Unidentified ‘Microbial Dark Matter’ – Sciworthy

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Mars’ surface is not currently conducive to human life. It presents extreme challenges, including a tenuous atmosphere, freezing temperatures, and heightened radiation levels. While Earth’s extremophiles can tackle some obstacles, they can’t handle them all simultaneously. If Martian life exists, how do these microbes manage to survive in such an environment?

The answer might lie within caves. Many researchers believe that ancient lava tubes on Mars formed billions of years ago when the planet was warmer and had liquid water. Caves serve as shelters against radiation and severe temperatures found on the Martian surface. They also host the nutrients and minerals necessary for sustaining life. Although scientists cannot yet explore Martian caves directly, they are examining analogous sites on Earth to establish parameters for searching for life on Mars.

A research team, led by C.B. Fishman from Georgetown University, investigated the microorganisms inhabiting the lava tubes of Mauna Loa, Hawaii, to learn about their survival mechanisms. Thanks to careful conservation efforts by Native Hawaiians, these lava tubes remain undisturbed by human activity. Researchers believe that both the rock structures in Mauna Loa Cave and the minerals formed from sulfur-rich gases bear similarities to Martian cave formations.

The team analyzed five samples from well-lit areas near the cave entrance, two from dimly lit zones with natural openings known as skylights, and five from the cave’s darkest recesses. Samples were chosen based on rock characteristics, including secondary minerals like calcite and gypsum, and primary iron-bearing minerals such as olivine and hematite.

Findings revealed significant variation in mineralogy within the cave, even over small distances. The bright samples were predominantly gypsum, while the dark samples lacked these key minerals. Instead, one dark sample was rich in iron-bearing minerals, while another contained mainly calcite, gypsum, and thenardite.

To identify the microorganisms within the samples, the team employed the 16S rRNA gene to recognize known microbes and understand their relationships. They also reconstructed complete genomes from cave samples using a method called metagenomic analysis. This technique is akin to following instructions to assemble various models from mixed DNA fragments. Such insights help researchers grasp how both known and unknown microorganisms thrive in their respective environments.

The team discovered that approximately 15% of the microbial genomes were unique to specific locations, with about 57% appearing in less than a quarter of the samples. Furthermore, microbial communities in dark regions exhibited less diversity and were more specialized compared to those in well-lit areas. While dark sites were not as varied as bright ones, each supported its own distinct microbial community.

To explain this difference, the researchers proposed that dark microbes have limited survival strategies since photosynthesis is impossible without light. Instead, these microbes extract chemical energy from rocks and decaying organic matter, much like how humans derive energy from breaking down food.

The findings from metagenomic data indicated that even though sulfur minerals were abundant, very few microorganisms specialized in sulfur consumption were present. This aligns with expectations in oxygen-rich environments, as oxygen tends to react with sulfur, making it unavailable to microorganisms. The researchers suggested that sulfur-metabolizing microbes may be more commonly found in low-oxygen environments, such as Mars.

Additionally, the study revealed that a majority of the microorganisms found in these caves were previously undescribed by science, contributing to what is referred to as microbial dark matter. The existence of such unknown microorganisms hints at novel survival strategies.

The research team concluded that lava tube caves could be a crucial source of new microorganisms, aiding astrobiologists in their quest to understand potential life forms on Mars. They recommended that future investigations into Martian caves should focus on detecting small-scale microbes in various mineral contexts. Over time, the interplay between cave conditions and Martian microorganisms may be unveiled as Mars becomes less habitable.


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Source: sciworthy.com

Strange Discovery: Venus Features a Lava Tube

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We are gaining knowledge about Venus, a high-pressure planet

JSC/NASA

There is compelling evidence that vast underground tunnels have been formed from lava on Venus. These formations are unusually wide and distinct from those found on other celestial bodies.

It is generally accepted that underground tunnels, carved through lava, exist as lava tubes on Earth, the Moon, and Mars. Smaller, low-gravity planets tend to develop more porous tubes as their rocky walls are less susceptible to collapse due to weaker gravity. For instance, the Moon has such large tubes that scientists have proposed utilizing them as habitats for astronauts, shielding them from intense solar winds.

Researchers have observed indications of these lava tubes on Venus, evident from surface holes that may have been formed by the underground features or by other geological activities associated with its active fault lines.

Recently, Barbara de Tofoli from the University of Padova in Italy along with her colleagues uncovered direct evidence of these lava tubes on Venus. Remarkably, despite Venus’s similarities to Earth regarding its mass and gravity, its lava tubes appear to be surprisingly wide, with a volume comparable to those found on the Moon.

“While Earth has a small number of lava tubes, Mars has a slightly larger count, and the Moon has even more. Venus disrupts this trend by featuring incredibly large tubes, indicating its potential significance,” she stated at the Europlanet Science Congress in Helsinki, Finland, earlier this month.

De Tofoli and her team used radar and mapping data from previous missions to examine the alignment of these pits near large volcanoes. They identified four distinct sites where alternative geological explanations, such as structural activities, were implausible. The pits were also found to align with the steepest sections of volcanic slopes, consistent with the movement of lava. Their depth-to-width ratio corresponded with known lava tubes.

The unexpectedly large size of these tubes, especially their width, implies that the extreme conditions on Venus, characterized by high temperatures and pressure, can influence the movement of molten rock beneath the surface. “Due to the extremely high pressure, the floor of these tubes is not eroded as intensely as it typically is on other planets; instead, it remains largely flat throughout the tube.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New Study Illuminates the Evolution of Lava Planets

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Lava planets are rocky exoplanets that orbit extremely close to their host star, allowing for conditions that melt silicate rocks daily.

Boucale et al. We introduce a straightforward theoretical framework to explain the evolution of lava planets’ internal atmospheric systems. Image credit: Sci.News.

A lava planet is typically a super-Earth to Earth-sized world, orbiting its star in less than one Earth day.

Similar to the Earth’s moon, these planets are expected to be tidally locked, displaying the same hemisphere to their stars at all times.

With extreme surface temperatures, their rocks can reach melting or even evaporating points, creating a distinctive state within our solar system.

These unusual worlds are easily observable due to their pronounced orbital dynamics, offering valuable insights into the fundamental processes that drive planetary evolution.

“Due to the extreme orbital characteristics of lava planets, our understanding of rocky planets in the solar system does not apply directly, which leaves scientists uncertain about expected observations,” states Dr. Charles Eiduard Bukare from York University.

“Our simulations provide a conceptual framework for understanding their evolution and a way to investigate internal dynamics and chemical transformations over time.”

“While these processes are greatly intensified on lava planets, they fundamentally mirror those shaping rocky planets in our solar system.”

As rocks melt or evaporate, elements like magnesium, iron, silicon, oxygen, sodium, and potassium partition differently across vapor, liquid, and solid states.

The unique orbital dynamics of lava planets maintain vapor-liquid and solid-liquid equilibria for billions of years, facilitating long-term chemical evolution.

Using cutting-edge numerical simulations, the researchers predict the evolutionary status of two distinct categories.

(i) Fully melted interior (likely a younger planet): The atmosphere reflects the planet’s overall composition, with heat distribution within the melt ensuring a hot and dynamic nightside surface.

(ii) Nearly solid interior (likely an older planet): Only shallow lava oceans persist, while the atmosphere becomes depleted of elements such as sodium, potassium, and iron.

“We sincerely hope that with the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, we will be able to observe and differentiate between young and old lava planets,” Dr. Boukaré expressed.

“Demonstrating this capability would signify a significant advancement beyond conventional observational methods.”

study was published today in the journal Natural Astronomy.

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cé. Boucale et al. The significance of internal dynamics and differentiation in the surface and atmosphere of lava planets. Nut Athlon Published online on July 29th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41550-025-02617-4

Source: www.sci.news

Archaeologists uncover ancient human occupation of Saudi Arabia’s lava tube caves spanning 7,000 years

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New archaeological excavations show that the Umm Jirsan lava tubes in Halat Khyber, northwestern Saudi Arabia, have been repeatedly visited by humans from at least the Neolithic period to the Chalcolithic/Bronze Age (10,000 to 3,500 years ago). The stage of residence has become clear.

Photos of Umm Jilsan Cave and its interior.Image credit: Stewart other., doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299292.

Intensified field research in northern Arabia over the past decade has highlighted the richness and diversity of the region's archaeological and paleontological record.

Human settlement in northern Arabia during the Pleistocene appeared to be sporadic and associated with periods of improved climate, but by the Holocene people had settled in the area more consistently through dry periods. I was able to.

“Our discoveries at Umm Jilsan provide a rare glimpse into the lives of the ancient peoples of Arabia, revealing repeated stages of human occupation and the pastoralism that once flourished here. It sheds light on people's activities,” said Griffith archaeologist Dr Matthew Stewart. University and the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology.

“This site probably served as an important transit point along pastoral routes, linking major oases and facilitating cultural exchange and trade.”

Rock art and animal records attest to the pastoral use of Umm Jilsan and the surrounding area, providing a vivid picture of an ancient way of life.

Depictions of cows, sheep, goats, and dogs confirm prehistoric livestock practices and herd composition in the area.

Isotope analysis of animal remains collected from lava tubes shows that livestock primarily grazed wildflowers and shrubs, while humans maintained a protein-rich diet and increased their consumption of C3 plants over time. has increased significantly, suggesting the emergence of oasis agriculture.

Professor Michael Petraglia, an archaeologist from Griffith University, the University of Queensland, and the Smithsonian Institution, said: “Subterranean localities are of global importance in archeology and Quaternary science, but our research is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia. “This is the first comprehensive study.”

This discovery highlights the immense potential of interdisciplinary research in caves and lava tubes, providing a unique window into Arabia's ancient past.

“Umm Jilsan was probably not a permanent settlement, but a valuable transit point for people traveling between oasis settlements,” the authors said.

“Lava tubes and other natural shelters are valuable resources for communities surviving in difficult environments, and further research shows that they are important archaeological sources of information about the history of human occupation in Arabia. ”

“Our research into Arabia's hidden past uncovers thousands of years of human habitation in and around the Umm Jirsan lava tubes, revealing ancient lifestyles and environmental changes in this harsh desert environment. shed light on the adaptation of

team's paper Published in an online journal PLoS ONE.

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M. Stewart other. 2024. First evidence of human occupation of Arabia's lava tubes: Archeology of Umm Jirsan Cave and Surroundings, Northern Saudi Arabia. PLoS ONE 19 (4): e0299292; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299292

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient Humans Made Their Homes in Lava Tubes in the Arabian Desert

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Researchers investigate Saudi Arabia's Umm Jirsan lava tube system

PALAEODESERTS project, CC-BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Archaeologists have discovered, for the first time, evidence of human habitation inside a lava tube in the desert of northern Saudi Arabia.

A lava tube is a cave formed during a volcanic eruption. The surface of the lava river cools and solidifies, but hot molten rock continues to flow beneath it. Eventually, the lava will drain out of the tube, leaving behind a tunnel.

Matthew Stewart He and his colleagues from Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, dug a trench inside Umm Jilsan. At 1.5 kilometers long, it is the largest lava tube in Saudi Arabia. Researchers found animal bones, stone tools and pottery dating back at least 7,000 years, and possibly 10,000 years.

Stewart and his team have been working in the area for more than 15 years and have uncovered numerous stone structures on the surface, confirming human habitation. However, the desert's hot and dry climate has degraded the organic material, making it difficult to determine its age.

The surface landscape is a “hot, dry, flat basalt desert,” Stewart said. “But when you're inside a lava tube, it's much cooler. It would have been a great refuge because it's so protected.”

“It's changing our understanding of the prehistory of the Arabian Peninsula,” he says.

Researchers also found human bones in parts of Umm Jilsan's underground network, which are believed to have been dragged in by hyenas.

Stewart and colleagues found rock art at other nearby lava tubes, including depictions of domesticated sheep and goats, that would have been made by “cultural contemporaries” of the group who used the tubes as shelters. he says, he discovered.

mike morley Researchers at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, describe lava tubes as like “prefabricated activity spaces.”

“As a scientist who works primarily in caves, I'm excited to see that there is another type of cave system used by humans in the past,” Morley says. “These discoveries represent a treasure trove of archaeological information in Arabia, a vast region whose prehistoric archeology has only recently been systematically investigated.”

It has also been suggested that lava tubes could be a place for humans to take refuge on the Moon or Mars.

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  • archeology/
  • ancient humans

Source: www.newscientist.com

Overcome the lava flow and rebuild from the ashes

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Above: Photo taken from an astronaut aboard the International Space Station on February 13, 2016 (before the eruption). Below: Photo taken from astronauts aboard the International Space Station on August 18, 2023.

Two years after the Cumbre Vieja eruption in the Canary Islands, some roads have been rebuilt.

astronaut on board international space station (ISS) took these photos of La Palma Island while in orbit over the North Atlantic Ocean. La Palma is part of Spain’s Canary Islands, approximately 480 kilometers (300 miles) off the coasts of Morocco and Western Sahara. The island is basalt shield volcano This volcano consists of two volcanic centers. One is the old collapsed Caldera de Taburiente and the other is the young and active Cumbre Vieja.

From September to December 2021, eruption Lava flows, lava fountains, and volcanic ash clouds occurred on the southwest flank of Cumbre Vieja. The mission lasted about 85 days and gave astronauts on the space station the opportunity to take photos of plumes and glowing lava flows at night.

In total, the lava flow and ash covered more than 12 square kilometers (5 square miles) of La Palma and extended 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the fissure to the coastline.Ash and lava damaged Over 3,000 buildings and some banana plantations, caused yellowing of pine forests.

These photos were taken in February 2016 (top) and August 2023 (bottom) and show the landscape several years before and after the eruption. In the two years since the eruption, some roads have been rebuilt and are visible as thin, brightly colored lines cutting through the lava flow. This road will reconnect the town of Los Llanos de Aridane with Puerto Naos and other nearby communities. In this photo, the eruption crack is clearly visible as a brighter, linear feature halfway down the side of the volcano.

Although not noticeable in the spatial resolution of these images, sparse trees and shrubs continue to grow within the deposited volcanic ash. canary islands pine (Pinus canariensis).This fire resistance serotinic Coniferous trees, endemic to the Canary Islands, use the heat from fires to melt the resin surrounding their pine cones and produce viable seeds.

Astronaut photo ISS069-E-62382 was acquired on August 18, 2023 with a Nikon D5 digital camera using a focal length of 400 millimeters. Astronaut photo ISS046-E-40929 was acquired on February 13, 2016 with a Nikon D4 digital camera using a focal length of 400 millimeters. Images provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observation Facility and the Johnson Space Center Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit. The images were taken by Expedition 69 crew members and Expedition 46 crew members. Images have been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast and lens artifacts have been removed. The International Space Station Program supports this laboratory as part of the ISS National Laboratory, allowing astronauts to take the most valuable photographs of Earth to scientists and the public, and to make those images available on the Internet. We support it so that it can be used freely. Caption by Cadan Cummings, Jacobs, JETS II Contract NASA-JSC.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Lava Erupts from Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula

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Brightness temperature images obtained by the NOAA-20 satellite’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite on December 18, 2023 (left) and December 19, 2023.

After weeks of warning, a new crack has appeared on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland.

The wait is over. After weeks of spooky earthquakes and geologists warning of a possible eruption, lava has begun pouring out of new fissures. Reykjanes Peninsula Occurred in southwestern Iceland late on December 18, 2023. The eruption was about 4 kilometers (2 miles) northeast of the town of Grindavik and about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Iceland’s capital Reykjavik.

The eruption began with lava spewing tens of meters high along a four-kilometer fissure, from which it flowed sideways. 5 vents. The brightness temperature image above (right) was acquired by VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite). NOAASatellite-20 at 4 a.m. local time on December 19, after the eruption began. Another image (left) shows the same area in the early morning hours of December 18 before the eruption. brightness temperature The measurements help distinguish the relative warmth or coolness of features on the Earth’s surface and in the atmosphere.

Observed volcanic dynamics

“What you see in these images is that the active lava flows are very hot compared to the surrounding land and clouds,” said Simon Kahn, a volcanologist at Michigan Technological University. “Areas of darker temperatures look like terrain where lava is flowing, but where eruptive fissures are not active and there is colder lava, or where gas plumes or clouds obscure the surface. It could be a territory.” topographic map In part of this area, three hills reaching a height of about 200 meters can be seen on the west side of the eruption fissure.

report The Icelandic Meteorological Agency said the lava is flowing primarily to the east and north, posing minimal risk to Grindavik, the Blue Lagoon and other nearby infrastructure. “However, the situation could change if lava accumulates and starts flowing in a different direction, if active fissures spread south, or if new fissures open,” Khan said. . “If the lava continues to flow north, it could eventually reach the main highway from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik.”

Minimize the impact on air travel and safety measures

Icelandic authorities stress that the type of eruption that is occurring – a fissure eruption – does not typically cause large explosions or large amounts of ash being thrown into the atmosphere. As of December 19, flights to and from Iceland are unaffected, and international corridors remain open. According to Icelandic officials. Officials too I got it. The nearby town of Grindavik was evacuated on November 10 as a precaution, and the eruption is said to pose no threat to life.

NASA Earth Observatory imagery by Michala Garrison using VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS).

Source: scitechdaily.com