Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Moon's Giant Lava Tubes Could Be Stable Enough To Shelter Entire Cities
hngn.com ^

Posted on 04/05/2015 5:33:02 PM PDT by BenLurkin

"We 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," said David Blair, a graduate student in Purdue's Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary sciences. "This wouldn't be possible on Earth, but gravity is much lower on the moon and lunar rock doesn't have to withstand the same weathering and erosion. In theory, huge lava tubes -- big enough to easily house a city -- could be structurally sound on the moon."

The researchers applied known information about lunar rock and the moon's environment as well as civil engineering techniques to make their findings. They found the stability of these lava tubes depended on width, roof thickness, and the stress state of the cold lava. The results suggested these types of tunnels could be stable if they matched the determined criteria.

(Excerpt) Read more at hngn.com ...


TOPICS: Travel
KEYWORDS: davidblair; elonmusk; lavatubes; moon; purdue; spaceexploration; spacex
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-56 next last
To: 9thLife
We're pretty sure that's what these are but they're collapsed.


21 posted on 04/05/2015 5:55:54 PM PDT by cripplecreek ("For by wise guidance you can wage your war")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: demshateGod
Not to mention that the Homeowner's Association really strict...


22 posted on 04/05/2015 5:57:20 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: gundog

Heh. Continuously. I believe your question pertains more to strikes large enough to cave in one of these lava tubes, in that case, not as often, but there’s not much of a system in place to monitor such impacts.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/809572/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/848926/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1216757/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1313256/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1546568/posts


23 posted on 04/05/2015 5:59:22 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (What do we want? REGIME CHANGE! When do we want it? NOW!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Indeed he did...


24 posted on 04/05/2015 5:59:40 PM PDT by null and void (He who kills a tyrant (i.e. an usurper) to free his country is praised and rewarded ~ Thomas Aquinas)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: gundog

About the same as earth gets hit ... :-) ...


25 posted on 04/05/2015 6:00:40 PM PDT by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Let’s send Bill de Blasio up to be the first mayor of the moon.


26 posted on 04/05/2015 6:04:20 PM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Star Traveler

Not very comforting, as our outer atmosphere gets hit quite a lot. Maybe we suck some away from the moon, but still. Are we talking about building air-tight bladders in these lava tubes? Quite apart from the initial blast, seismic implications would be huge.


27 posted on 04/05/2015 6:12:55 PM PDT by gundog (Help us, Nairobi-Wan Kenobi...you're our only hope.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: silverleaf
They might need this:


28 posted on 04/05/2015 6:16:33 PM PDT by 9thLife ("Life is a military endeavor..." -- Pope Francis)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: cripplecreek

I wouldn’t be building cities in them if they tend to collapse, though.


29 posted on 04/05/2015 6:24:07 PM PDT by 9thLife ("Life is a military endeavor..." -- Pope Francis)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin; mikrofon; martin_fierro

"Gravity is much lower on the moon and lunar rock doesn't have to withstand the same weathering and erosion. In theory, huge lava tubes -- big enough to easily house a city -- could be structurally sound on the moon. Dwelling space for several hundred thousands of our people could easily be provided. A computer could be set and programmed to accept factors from youth, health, sexual fertility, intelligence, and a cross section of necessary skills."

30 posted on 04/05/2015 6:30:20 PM PDT by Charles Henrickson (Naturally, they would breed prodigiously, eh?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin
a HORTA
31 posted on 04/05/2015 6:33:36 PM PDT by sefarkas (Why vote Democrat Lite?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Charles Henrickson

“I must confess, you have an astonishingly good idea there, Doctor.”


32 posted on 04/05/2015 6:34:49 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: 9thLife

All caves will collapse eventually. It might be next year or it might be in a million years. Smaller lava tubes would likely be more stable.

Personally I suspect the first long term habitation on the moon will be hunched down beneath the rim of a polar crater. Its cold in the darkness but offers some protection from solar flares and solar panels mounted above the rim can be in constant sunlight.


33 posted on 04/05/2015 6:35:29 PM PDT by cripplecreek ("For by wise guidance you can wage your war")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.


34 posted on 04/05/2015 7:02:51 PM PDT by Sherman Logan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

Spoil sport! Bringing facts to a thread is as bad as reading before posting.

My own contribution is, “the deeper, the better.” I would want as much roof over my head as possible for protection from impacts.


35 posted on 04/05/2015 7:21:52 PM PDT by ApplegateRanch (Love me, love my guns!©)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Billthedrill; martin_fierro; Charles Henrickson
'Been there, Dune that ....
36 posted on 04/05/2015 7:29:11 PM PDT by mikrofon (Novel Concepts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Scrambler Bob
Home, Sweet, Moon Cave: Astronauts Could Live in 'Lunar Pits' (Video)

Scientists have found hundreds of pits on the lunar surface that could provide shelter to astronauts exploring the moon.

Some of the pits, which are primarily located inside larger craters on the moon, are nearly 3,000 feet (900 meters) wide, researchers said. NASA showcased the lunar pits in a new video about moon caves and future exploration.

37 posted on 04/05/2015 7:30:26 PM PDT by BwanaNdege
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

“Not to mention the homeowners association is strict.”

That’s right. No operating your Interrossiter device after 11PM.


38 posted on 04/05/2015 7:35:18 PM PDT by Sasparilla (If you want peace, prepare for war.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: BwanaNdege

There are identical pits on mars.


39 posted on 04/05/2015 7:40:26 PM PDT by cripplecreek ("For by wise guidance you can wage your war")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: All

Wouldn’t be so bad, except for that whole “no breathable atmosphere” think. Details...


40 posted on 04/05/2015 8:03:08 PM PDT by bk1000 (A clear conscience is a sure sign of a poor memory)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-56 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson