---
title: "Theoretical study suggests huge lava tubes could exist on moon"
description: "Purdue University team of researchers explored whether lava tubes more than 1 kilometer wide could remain structurally stable on the moon."
date: "2015-03-20"
modified: "2015-08-13"
authors:
  - name: "Matthew Lincoln"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/justmatt"
url: "https://futurism.com/theoretical-study-suggests-huge-lava-tubes-could-exist-on-moon"
categories:
  - "Astronomy"
  - "Moon"
  - "Space"
tags:
  - "space"
---

# Theoretical study suggests huge lava tubes could exist on moon

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mooon.jpg>)

- The volcanic features are an important target for future human space exploration because they could provide shelter from cosmic radiation, meteorite impacts and temperature extremes.
- Lava tubes are tunnels formed from the lava flow of volcanic eruptions. The edges of the lava cool as it flows to form a pipe-like crust around the flowing river of lava. When the eruption ends and the lava flow stops, the pipe drains leave behind a hollow tunnel.
- The team found that if lunar lava tubes existed with a strong arched shape like those on Earth, they would be stable at sizes up to 5,000 meters, or several miles wide, on the moon.