Scientific Papers about Planetary (Extraterrestrial) Caves

Current decade (2021-)

• Chwala, M., Komatsu, G., Haruyama, J. Effects of layered roof for stability and exploration of lunar lava tubes. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., in press (2024). doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2024.118918
• Carrer, L., Pozzobon, R., Sauro, F., Castelletti, D., Patterson, G. W., Bruzzone, L. Radar evidence of an accessible cave conduit on the Moon below the Mare Tranquillitatis pit. Nature Astronomy, in press (2024). doi:10.1038/s41550-024-02302-y
• Watson, T. H., J. U. L. Baldini. Martian cave detection via machine learning coupled with visible light imagery. Icarus 411, 115952 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2024.115952
• Chwala, M., Komatsu, G., Haruyama, J. Structural stability of lunar lava tubes with consideration of variable cross-section geomtery. Icarus 411, 115928 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115928
• Zhu, K., Yang, M., Yan, X., Li, W., Feng, W., Zhong, M. GRAIL gravity gradients evidence for a potential lava tube at Marius Hills on the moon. Icarus 408, 115814 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115814
• Qiu, X., Ding, C. Radar observation of the lava tubes on the Moon and Mars. Remote Sensing 15, 2850 (2023). doi:10.3390/rs15112850
• Wilcoski, A. X., Hayne, P. O., Elder, C. M. (2023). Thermal environments and volatile stability within lunar pits and caves. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 128, e2023JE007758. doi:10.1029/2023JE007758
• Malaska, M. J., Schoenfeld, A., Wynne, J. J., et al. (2022). Potential caves: inventory of subsurface access points on the surface of Titan. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 127, e2022JE007512. doi:10.1029/2022JE007512
• Wynne, J. J., Mylroie, J. E., Titus, et al. (2022). Planetary caves: A solar system view of processes and products. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 127, e2022JE007303. doi:10.1029/2022JE007303
• Wyrick, D. Y., Buczkowski, D. L. (2022). Pit crater chains across the solar system: evidence for subterranean tectonic caves, porosity and permeability pathways on planetary bodies. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 127(12), e2022JE007281. doi:10.1029/2022JE007281
• Wagner, R. V., Robinson, M. S. (2022). Lunar pit morphology: implications for exploration Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 127, e2022JE007328 doi:10.1029/2022JE007328
• Horvath, T., P. O. Hayne, D. A. Paige (2022). Thermal and illumination environments of lunar pits and caves: models and observations from the Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment. Geophysical Research Letters 49, e2022GL099710. doi:10.1029/2022GL099710
• Crown, D. A., Scheidt, S. P., Berman, D. C. (2022). Distribution and morphology of lava tube systems on the Western Flank of Alba Mons, Mars. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 127, e2022JE007263. doi:10.1029/2022JE007263
• Sharma, R. & Srivastava, N. (2022). Detection and classification of skylights on the flank of Elysium Mons, Mars. Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics 22, 065008. doi:10.1088/1674-4527/ac684f
• Viúdez-Moreiras, D. (2021). The ultraviolet radiation environment and shielding in pit craters and cave skylights on Mars. Icarus 370, 114658. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2021.114658
• Schorghofer, N. (2021). Ice caves on Mars: Hoarfrost and microclimates. Icarus 357, 114271. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2020.114271

2011-2020

• Naito, M., Hasebe, N., Shikishima, M., Amano, Y., Haruyama, J., Matias-Lopes, J. A., Kim, K. J., Kodaira, S. (2020). Radiation dose and its protection in the Moon from galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles: at the lunar surface and in a lava tube. Journal of Radiological Protection 40(4), 947. doi:10.1088/1361-6498/abb120
• Sauro, F., Pozzobon, R., Massironi, M., De Berardinis, P., Santagata, T., De Waele, J. (2020). Lava tubes on Earth, Moon and Mars: A review on their size and morphology revealed by comparative planetology. Earth-Science Reviews 209, 103288. doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103288
• Theinat, A. K., A. Modiriasari, A. Bobet, H. J. Melosh, et al. (2020). Lunar lava tubes: Morphology to structural stability. Icarus 338, 113442. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2019.113442
• Paris, A., E. Davies, L. Tognetti, C. Zahniser (2019). Prospective lava tubes at Hellas Planitia. Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences 105(3), 13-36.
• Kaku, T., J. Haruyama, W. Miyake, et al. (2017). Detection of intact lava tubes at Marius Hills on the Moon by SELENE (Kaguya) Lunar Radar Sounder. Geophysical Research Letters 44(20), 10,155-10,161. doi:10.1002/2017GL074998
• Williams, K. E., T. N. Titus, C. H. Okubo, G. E. Cushing (2017). Martian cave air-movement via Helmholtz resonance. International Journal of Speleology 46(3), 439-444. doi:10.5038/1827-806X.46.3.2130
• Blair, D. M., L. Chappaz, R. Sood, et al. (2017). The structural stability of lunar lava tubes. Icarus 282, 47-55. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2016.10.008
• Zhao, J., J. Huang, M. D. Kraft, L. Xiao, Y. Jiang (2017). Ridge-like lava tube systems in southeast Tharsis, Mars. Geomorphology 295, 831-839. doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2017.08.023
• Chappaz, L., R. Sood, H. J. Melosh, et al. (2017). Evidence of large empty lava tubes on the Moon using GRAIL gravity. Geophysical Research Letters 44(1), 105-112. doi:10.1002/2016GL071588
• Cushing, G. E., C. H. Okubo, T. N. Titus (2015). Atypical pit craters on Mars: New insights from THEMIS, CTX, and HiRISE observations. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 120, 1023-1043. doi:10.1002/2014JE004735
• Wagner, R.V. & M. S. Robinson (2014). Distribution, formation mechanisms, and significance of lunar pits. Icarus 237, 52-60. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2014.04.002
• Hong, I. S., Y. Yi, E. Kim (2014). Lunar pit craters presumed to be the entrances of lava caves by analogy to the Earth lava tube pits. Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences 31(2), 131-140. doi:10.5140/JASS.2014.31.2.131
• Haruyama J., T. Morota, S. Kobayashi, et al. (2012). Lunar holes and lava tubes as resources for lunar science and exploration. In: Badescu V. (ed) Moon. Springer, doi:10.1007/978-3-642-27969-0_6
• Robinson M. S., J. W. Ashley, A. K. Boyd, R. V. Wagner, E. J. Speyerer, B. R. Hawke, H. Hiesinger, C. H. van der Bogert (2012). Confirmation of sublunarean voids and thin layering in mare deposits. Planetary and Space Science 69, 18-27. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2012.05.008
• Cushing, G. E. (2012). Candidate cave entrances on Mars. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies 74, 33-47. doi:10.4311/2010EX0167R

2001-2010

• Léveillé, R. J. & S. Datta (2010). Lava tubes and basaltic caves as astrobiological targets on Earth and Mars: a review. Planetary and Space Science 58, 592-598. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2009.06.004
• Boston, P. J. (2010). Location, location, location! Lava caves on Mars for habitat, resources, and the search for life. Journal of Cosmology 12, 3957-3979. [link]
• Williams, K. E., C. P. McKay, O. B. Toon, J. W. Head (2010). Do ice caves exist on Mars? Icarus 209, 358-368. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2010.03.039
• Haruyama, J., Hioki, K., Shirao, M., et al. (2009). Possible lunar lava tube skylight observed by SELENE cameras. Geophysical Research Letters 36(21), L21206. doi:10.1029/2009GL040635
• Cushing, G. E., T. N. Titus, J. J. Wynne, P. R. Christensen (2007). THEMIS observes possible cave skylights on Mars. Geophysical Research Letters 34, L17201. doi:10.1029/2007GL030709
• Boston, P. J. (2004). Extraterrestrial caves. In “Encyclopedia of Caves and Karst Science” (editor, J. Gunn), Routledge, p. 355-358.
• Wyrick, D., D. A. Ferrill, A. P. Morris, S. L. Colton, D. W. Sims (2004). Distribution, morphology, and origins of Martian pit crater chains. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 109, E06005. doi:10.1029/2004JE002240

Twentieth Century

• Sakimoto, S. E., J. Crisp, S. M. Baloga (1997). Eruption constraints on tube‐fed planetary lava flows. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 102, 6597-6613. doi:10.1029/97JE00069
• Keszthelyi, L. (1995). A preliminary thermal budget for lava tubes on the Earth and planets. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 100(B10), 20411-20420. doi:10.1029/95JB01965
• Coombs, C. R. & B. Ray Hawke (1992). A search for intact lava tubes on the Moon: Possible lunar base habitats. Proc. 2nd Conf. Lunar Bases and Space Activities.
• Carr, M., R. Greeley, K. R. Blasius, J. E. Guest, J. B. Murray (1977). Some martian volcanic features as viewed from the Viking Orbiters. Journal of Geophysical Research 82, 3985-4015. doi:10.1029/JS082i028p03985
• Greeley, R. (1971). Lava tubes and channels in the lunar Marius Hills. The Moon 3(3), 289-314. doi:10.1007/BF00561842

This list includes peer-reviewed scientific articles that focus on extraterrestrial caves (on the Moon, Mars, and Titan). It does not include papers about terrestrial analogs, papers about exploration technology, conference abstracts, or white papers.