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Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
Data sources: Crossref
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5...
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
Data sources: Crossref
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Underground Landscapes: Volcanism, Lava Tubes, and Man

Authors: Francesco Axel Pio Romio; Gianni Lobosco;

Underground Landscapes: Volcanism, Lava Tubes, and Man

Abstract

Lava tubes, or pyroducts, have played a significant role in human history, serving as shelters, storage spaces, and dwellings across diverse cultures, times, and geographies. However, knowledge about their uses remains fragmented across various disciplines and sources. This research consolidates an extensive review of human interactions with lava tubes through bibliographical studies and on-site expeditions, culminating in the creation of the Atlas of Lava Tube Uses. Integrating geological and anthropological insights, this atlas provides a comprehensive resource that bridges the gap between terrestrial history and extraterrestrial exploration. In fact, since the 1960s, researchers have hypothesized the existence of similar underground volcanic caves on the Moon and Mars. To date, 271 and 1062 potential cave entrances have been identified on the lunar and Martian surfaces, respectively. These extraterrestrial structures are increasingly viewed as promising candidates for future space habitats, offering protection from extreme environmental conditions. By connecting Earth’s historical use of pyroducts with modern exploration efforts, this study lays the groundwork for designing liveable and sustainable underground habitats beyond our planet while highlighting the significance of these underground landscapes in Earth’s heritage.

Country
Italy
Keywords

Lava tubes, Underground settlements, Underground landscapes, Lunar caves, Martian caves, Lava tube habitats, Extraterrestrial habitats, Lava tubes; Underground settlements; Underground landscapes; Lunar caves; Martian caves; Lava tube habitats; Extraterrestrial habitats

  • BIP!
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    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    2
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Top 10%
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
2
Top 10%
Average
Average
Green
hybrid