Hidden caves under Australia’s Nullarbor Plain offer clues to life on other planets
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Researchers in Australia investigated the Nullarbor Plain, a 200,000 square kilometre limestone region, and discovered that shallow trenches on the surface mark the locations of extensive, buried cave systems.
The Mirning People have lived on the Nullarbor for tens of thousands of years, observing changes in the landscape over time. Scientists previously struggled to understand the formation of shallow trenches across the plain, which run up to 20 kilometres long and a few metres deep.
The team combined drone photography, borehole measurements, and geophysical techniques to examine the area. They found that the trenches align with known caves and sinkholes, indicating the trenches are surface expressions of caves collapsing upwards over millions of years. This discovery changes how scientists will interpret cave landscapes worldwide, as it shows that surface features can hide much larger underground systems. Understanding these hidden caves is important for engineering projects and protecting water resources.
Caves also preserve ancient environments and unique life forms. Because caves offer shelter from radiation, the research could help locate caves on other planets like Mars, potentially serving as sites for exploration or even future human bases. The researchers suggest similar hidden cave systems may exist in other overlooked landscapes both on Earth and beyond.
