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>> could provide much protection from the harsh lunar environment Or introduce a host of new threats. Without the minimal "erosion" of micrometeoroids and dus
by sandworm101 5y ago
>> could provide much protection from the harsh lunar environment
Or introduce a host of new threats. Without the minimal "erosion" of micrometeoroids and dust, I would expect every edge on every rock in such tubes to be sharp. And the lack of tectonic activity/wind/water means that any 3d rock structure might well be on the edge of collapse. I wouldn't attempt to walk down one of these tunnels.
- tokai 5y ago>I would expect every edge on every rock in such tubes to be sharp Why? The rock has been melted away, if anything things should be quite smooth in the tubes.
- andrewflnr 5y agoHaving walked in a couple lava tubes, "smooth" is not really the word I would use, but I suppose neither is "sharp". (Among other things, imagine popcorn ceiling texture, on the floor, made of rock)
- me_me_me 5y agoI think you just described precisely why some people would love to explore those kind of formations.
- johnwalkr 5y agoI’d expect many sharp surfaces too, but it’s probably safer than the fine layer of regolith on the lunar surface. Those are small particles with very rough edges because there’s no erosion from weather. Like any lung irritant it’s quite hazardous to be exposed to. The idea is not to just go in there though, it’s to put a structure there (inflatable is often proposed). This could be more feasible than building something on the surface where the environment is harsher. By the way there’s lots of seismic activity on the moon.