The 35 m wide hole captured in the image taken by the Mars Reconnaissance camera is a geological enigma that has sparked curiosity among scientists and explorers. In 2011, while photographing the surface of Mars, the HiRISE instrument on the Mars Reconnaissance orbiter discovered a peculiar feature – a giant hole on Pavonis Mons, a large shield volcano in the Tharsis region. This mysterious feature was estimated to be about 20 m deep and measuring 35 m in diameter, making it one of the largest holes ever observed on Mars.
The cause of this massive hole remains unknown, and scientists are still trying to understand its formation. Unlike Earth, Mars lacks signs of carbonate rocks like limestone, and it has minimal water presence. A plausible explanation for this giant hole is that it could be an entrance to a lava tube. Occasionally, lava flows can solidify on the surface while still flowing underground through a pipe or tunnel. Eventually, these tubes may become empty, and parts of their roofs could collapse, creating holes like the one observed in orbital images.
If this opening indeed leads to a lava tube, it would surpass any such tube found on Earth in terms of size. Shane Byrne, a professor at the University of Arizona, suggests that this collapse might have occurred within the volcano’s internal pipe system. NASA finds these types of holes intriguing because they are relatively protected from Mars’ harsh surface conditions, making them potential sites to look for Martian life. As such, they are vital targets for future exploration by spacecraft, robots
