May 13, 2005

Lava Tubes are natural conduits through which lava travels beneath the surface of a lava flow. They have been used by more than just insects. Archaeological artifacts and Hawaiian oral history tell us that lava tubes were used by humans much like their limestone cave counterparts.

Enter Karen Mayfield, a Maui woman who has lived in a lava tube for the last three years.The state has evicted her, and charged her with three misdemeanor charges for illegal camping, disturbing a geological feature and littering.
Her trial is scheduled to start May 31
Meanwhile, NASA has been looking at enabling technologies that we would need to make these usable as structures for astronauts, for future bases on the moon and Mars."

posted by retank 19 years ago
  • aack, I checked every link, but the first one referenced monkey filter, with the link, grrrr,, here Lava tubes are natural conduits through which lava travels beneath the surface of a lava flow.
  • delete my post, cancel my account, remove my reproductive organs,
  • Good lord! For a moment I thought I was about to embark on another of those threads! *stops banging head*
  • They already have machines to make artificial lava tubes and have had for about 20 years. The US has been using them to build military bases in mountains and such like. Can't be bothered finding a link, but they're big mole-like drillers that superheat the rock to magma, leaving a smooth tube. There's pictures of 'em floating around on the net.
  • The best link I screwed up to,, the second link should have gone here
  • Well, to comment on the whole concept of whether or not Karen has a leg to stand on in her cave: Three words: Public Fucking Land She has as much right to live there as I have as much right to go in there and tell her to get the fuck out. That is the whole point of public land. She's screwed, I am afraid. I can understand the references to Walden Pond and the rest... but ultimately she was squatting and got away for it with for three years. But really, she has no right to privacy or "citizen's rights" when it comes to a search warrant. I do honestly hope she gets back in her cave, though.
  • delete my post, cancel my account, remove my reproductive organs And just what would you like us to do with your tubes? We have tons of lava tubes here in Idaho. Supposedly cows fall into them if they're not very stable. There's a small tube north of here that contains ice most of the summer, and Shoshone Ice Caves are a couple hours drive. There's also the Craters of the Moon National Monument.
  • Awe.some.
  • Cave? Meh! I want to know what made those giant tyre tracks!
  • What I want to know is why are they allowing seventh graders to go to Mars and us the camera. Not fair. **pouts**