Lava Tubes on Earth, the Moon, and Mars: Detection, Evolution, and Exploration Potential

Abstract

Lava tubes, or subsurface conduits formed by volcanic activity, have emerged as critical geological features for understanding planetary evolution and for supporting future human space exploration. This paper provides an integrated review of the formation, morphology, and preservation of lava tubes on Earth, the Moon, and Mars, emphasizing their geological significance and habitability potential. We discuss the processes responsible for their genesis, including overcrusting, shallow inflation, and deep inflation and thermal/mechanical erosion, as well as their cross-sectional and network-scale morphologies. Our synthesis suggests that deep inflation and thermal/mechanical erosion along weak horizons is the most plausible mechanism for kilometer-scale tubes on the Moon and Mars, while any of these mechanisms may operate at smaller scales. This review also highlights how differences in gravity, tectonic activity, and erosional forces across planetary bodies affect lava tube dimensions and preservation. While terrestrial lava tubes have been extensively mapped and modeled using geophysical methods, the detection of lunar and Martian analogs relies on remote sensing, gravity data, and image-based analysis. The structural integrity and environmental stability of these tubes make them prime candidates for safe, long-term extraterrestrial habitats, offering natural protection from cosmic radiation, temperature extremes, and surface hazards. Additionally, lava tubes preserve stratigraphic, geochemical, and possibly biological records, making them valuable targets for planetary science, astrobiology, and future robotic or human missions.