Volcanic Caves as Priority Sites for Astrobiology Science: An Overview
Abstract
If the surfaces of most moons and rocky planets in our solar system are not able to support life as we know it, the search for life beyond Earth should target the subsurface.
Volcanic caves provide an entry point into the shallow subsurface, where signs of past or extant life could be protected from harsh conditions above. On Earth, lava cave interiors are lined with mineral coatings and biofilms, usually associated with an aqueous history. Other mineralized evidence of life in lava caves persists in the form of spelothems, dominated compositionally by cryptocrystalline silica and lesser amounts of embedded carbonate; such material has high preservation potential. Volcanic caves on Earth form from basaltic lava flows, the most ubiquitous rocky material in our solar system. Access points include cave mouths, skylights, and collapse pits. Similar features have been observed on the Moon and on Mars, and it is reasonable to assume that they are also present on other rocky planetary bodies. The first explorers to reach a planetary cave will likely be robots. Current technological and mechanical limitations associated with cave ingress and navigation are being challenged in terrestrial environments by new advances in robotic mobility and autonomy. This presentation will address current and on-going technology developments that could advance planetary cave identification, access, communications relays, and autonomous exploration and sensing for future astrobiology missions to Mars and beyond.- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020AGUFMP058...08B
- Keywords:
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- 0406 Astrobiology and extraterrestrial materials;
- BIOGEOSCIENCES;
- 6225 Mars;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS;
- 6297 Instruments and techniques;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS;
- 5430 Interiors;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS