Preholes

Preholes are a concept in speculative geology and astrobiology that refers to hypothetical cavities or voids within the solid portions of celestial bodies that may have existed or been formed prior to the solidifying of the material around them. The term suggests a pre-existing space that was later enclosed.

These preholes could originate from various processes. In the early formation of planets, outgassing or the decay of short-lived radioactive isotopes could create localized pockets of vapor or gas. If these pockets persist as the surrounding material cools and solidifies, they could leave behind empty voids. Another possibility involves the freezing of highly volatile substances or even small, transient pockets of liquid water in the subsurface, which then evaporate or sublimate, leaving a void.

The existence of preholes is not confirmed and remains theoretical. However, their potential implications are significant. If they exist, preholes could serve as protected microenvironments, shielding any potential trapped biosignatures or even dormant microbial life from harsh surface conditions like radiation and extreme temperature fluctuations. They might also play a role in subsurface fluid transport, influencing the distribution of water and other volatiles within a planet or moon. Detecting preholes would likely require advanced geophysical or remote sensing techniques, possibly involving seismic imaging or ground-penetrating radar.