Perhaps the biggest obstacle to colonizing the Moon is the threat of radiation that can be lethal, especially after prolonged exposure. Luckily, rock is good protection against such exposure.
That's why lunar lava tubes are interesting possibilities for sites of bases and colonies. Lava tubes are just what the name implies-- tubes cut through solid rock by flowing lava at some point in the past. Earth has many such tubes, and the Moon, because of volcanism in its history and its low gravity, is thought to have huge tubes-- big enough to shelter bases and colonies.
Scientists working with data gathered by Japan's SELENE lunar probe have found a huge hole in the lunar surface they think might be a collapsed lava tube. The hole is something over 200 feet wide and perhaps 250 feet deep. The scientists think the hole might be a good place for a colony.
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