MARS ASTROBIOLOGY CAVES MISSION ANALOG SCIENCE
Scanning electron microscope image of cave microorganisms present in Screaming Jaws of Death, Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho
Subsurface environments may be the best astrobiological targets on Mars. Caves are accessible without costly drilling payloads. Caves also provide access to CHNOPS elements required for habitability, and provide shielding from UV radiation. For these reason, I’m studying the habitability and biosignature potential of caves and pit crater chains in order to eventually conduct an astrobiologically focused mission to Mars.
My early research focused on microbial colonization and weathering in lava tube caves at Craters of the Moon, a Mars analog environment:
Influences on Microbial Colonization in Lava Caves
Recently, my summer intern, Carole Lakrout evaluated microbial activity in lava tube caves and found that microbial activity increased in warmer caves. More importantly, in our incubated basalt chips, microbial activity increased with incubation time, even though microbial populations remained relatively static with time. Her GSA abstract will be posted here soon.