From lava tubes on Mars to ice pockets on Europa, subterranean environments may offer the best chance of finding life—and living safely—beyond our planet. “I was like, ‘OK, I'm pretty sure that ...

A section of South Dakota’s Wind Cave seen under normal white light (left image) transforms into something otherworldly when placed under UV light (right image). SAN DIEGO, March 25, 2025 — Deep below ...

Ice caves host a range of cryogenic phenomena driven by the interplay of ambient air temperature, subterranean hydrology and karst geometry. Seasonal and perennial ice accumulations form through the ...

On Sunday’s episode of The Excerpt podcast: Hidden beneath Earth’s surface are caverns and pathways that hold the secrets of our planet’s very beginnings. Even after decades of exploration, there are ...

When you picture a cave, you probably think of an environment devoid of life. But for most caves on Earth, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Caves are remarkably good at supporting life.

The film discusses the unique ecosystem of caves, highlighting the adaptations of organisms that thrive in darkness. It emphasizes the constant conditions found in caves, such as temperature and ...

NASA is no stranger to innovative robots, but the agency's new robotic cave explorer still manages to inspire a sense of awe. In cooperation with researchers at Stanford University, NASA is developing ...

Caves can be thought of as nature’s original prefabricated homes. Here are five animal species that choose to live in them. While the image of early humans huddled in caves has become an almost ...

Beat the summer heat by going underground. Arizona is home to famous caves, like Kartchner Caverns. Here are 5 of the best ...