Hawaii's subterranean lava tubes are a blueprint for finding life on Mars
In short: Deep beneath Hawaii's largest active volcano lies a world of darkness and moisture. By studying the microbes thriving in these isolated caverns, NASA astrobiologists are decoding the survival strategies of life in extreme environments, providing a terrestrial map for discovering extraterrestrial organisms on the Red Planet.
In August 2019, researchers including Chloe Fishman explored a 'young' lava tube on the northern flank of Mauna Loa. Formed approximately 200 years ago, this tube is geologically recent, making it less weathered by water than older structures. This specific condition is vital for NASA's research because it more closely resembles the state of Martian lava tubes as they existed billions of years ago, when Mars was likely warmer and more Earth-like. Inside these cavernous spaces, microbes have been found thriving in total darkness, where photosynthesis is impossible. Instead of relying on sunlight, these microorganisms likely derive nourishment from chemicals within the volcanic rocks. During the expedition, researchers discovered dozens of previously unidentified microbial species. These findings are crucial for developing strategies to collect and analyze samples from Martian subsurface environments, which are primary targets for NASA's search for ancient or current micro-organisms. The mission involves more than just biological sampling; it is a multi-disciplinary effort to test technologies for future space exploration. Four teams of astrobiologists are currently analyzing subsurface gases, searching for microbial life in volcanic rock, and even building augmented reality models of the field sites. By mastering these techniques in Hawaii's extreme environments, NASA aims to refine the tools necessary to detect life in the universe's most hidden reaches. The volcano itself is estimated to be between 600,000 and 1 million years old. Its peak rises 9 kilometers from the ocean floor. The summit reaches an altitude of 4,170 meters. Most of the surface is covered by flows from the last 10,000 years.
theme perspective The study results were reported in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets on February 17, 2023. Fishman was an undergraduate researcher at the time of the study. At the University of California, San Francisco, she currently works as a researcher for the Gladstone Institutes.
mood reflective NASA scientists are using these field sites to test technologies that directly inform future missions. Mauna Loa, Hawai'i is the location featured in the documentary series Our Alien Earth: The Lava Tubes. It was shot and directed by Mike Toillion for the NASA+ platform.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: NASA's Our Alien Earth: The Lava Tubes of Mauna Loa, Hawai'i
- Also: Our Alien Earth: The Lava Tubes of Mauna Loa, Hawai’i | NASA+
- Also: How Exploring Hawaiian Caves Helps NASA Search for Life on Mars - NASA
- Also: NASA Science — The Summit of Mauna Loa, Hawai‘i - NASA Science
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