Utilizing Hawaiian Basalt to Learn How to Build on Other Planets

If we are going to build a base on another planet or moon, we will need to learn how to utilize available resources as construction materials. Some of these materials are found right here on Hawai‘i Island, including our Hawaiian basalt.

Basalt is a volcanic rock formed from the rapid cooling of basaltic lava. Volcanoes in Hawai‘i primarily erupt basalt, and have a relatively high fluidity that favors the formation of lava flows. “We have conducted chemical analysis on the composition of Hawaiian basalt using samples collected at various locations on Hawai‘i Island,” says Romo. “We’ve found that some of these samples closely resemble lunar regolith (fine dust) in composition. This makes our local basalt an ideal lunar simulant, and we are using it to research how we can harness the basalt found on the Moon as a construction material.”