EPISODE · Feb 11, 2026 · 4 MIN
Venus's Hidden Lava Tube: A Kilometer-Wide Gateway Beneath Nix Mons
from Intellectually Curious · host Mike Breault
We dive into a Nature Communications study by Leonardo Carrer and team that reuses Magellan radar data to reveal a colossal skylight and subterranean lava-tube system in Venus's western flank of Nix Mons. The radar signature—a shadow on one side and an interior reflection that penetrates beyond the rim—points to a roughly 1-kilometer-wide conduit with at least 375 meters of hollow space, possibly extending tens of kilometers. The finding implies Venus hosted fluid, low-viscosity basaltic lava forming extensive tubes, and upcoming missions like EnVision and VERITAS could map these networks with subsurface radar sounders, opening a window into Venus's hidden geology.Note: This podcast was AI-generated, and sometimes AI can make mistakes. Please double-check any critical information.Sponsored by Embersilk LLC
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We dive into a Nature Communications study by Leonardo Carrer and team that reuses Magellan radar data to reveal a colossal skylight and subterranean lava-tube system in Venus's western flank of Nix Mons. The radar signature—a shadow on one side and an interior reflection that penetrates beyond the rim—points to a roughly 1-kilometer-wide conduit with at least 375 meters of hollow space, possibly extending tens of kilometers. The finding implies Venus hosted fluid, low-viscosity basaltic lava...
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Venus's Hidden Lava Tube: A Kilometer-Wide Gateway Beneath Nix Mons
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