There is a mysterious hole on the Moon that could lead to something much larger beneath the surface.
Japan’s Kaguya (SELENE) spacecraft photographed a nearly circular pit in the Marius Hills region of the Moon. From above, it looks like a dark hole about 50 metres across—but scientists believe it may be an entrance to a much larger underground structure, possibly an ancient lava tube formed when molten rock once flowed beneath the lunar surface.
Why does that matter?
Because life on the Moon would be extremely difficult on the surface. Astronauts would face intense radiation, micrometeorites and enormous temperature changes.
Underground, however, a lava tube could provide natural protection from many of these dangers.
Instead of constructing a lunar base entirely from scratch, future explorers could potentially use one of the Moon’s ancient caves as a ready-made shelter.
The first permanent Moon base may not have to be built.
It may already be waiting beneath our feet—or, more precisely, beneath the Moon’s surface.
