A GEONET Station is a permanent facility that would normally be fixed on a solid-concrete base. They are, like desktop PCs, connected to power supply cable and fiber optic communication line. On the other hand, there are also mobile PC-like GEONET Station with independent power source and wireless communication capabilities.
The photo shows the REGMOS standing by in GSI headquarters, which specializes in volcano monitoring. Except the north side, all surfaces are covered with solar panels, and the satellite cellular phone antenna, a white square box, at the top is pointed at a geostationary satellite that relays data.
Currently, 15 REGMOS points are located in 11 volcanoes and volcanic regions and are operated as special GEONET Station "GNSS Maneuverable Observation Stations". Doesn't something just hearing the name make you excited, or thrilled?
"Chitose"(960523)
When I visited the snow-covered GEONET Station "Chitose" (960523) in February 2018, the temperature was -6 degrees Celsius. On the shore of nearby Lake Shikotsu is the site of the Hyobaku Festival, where giant icicles stand in a row, and the area is also known as the Shikotsu-Tarumae Volcano Area.
The solar panels covering the pillars like neck warmers are designed to keep them alive for a certain period of time even if in disaster, and the brown paint is in consideration of the surrounding landscape.
In other words, you can tell this station is in a touristic area with volcanic hot springs, just from the exterior.
In the photo, Mt. Tarumae-yama is slightly visible on the left side of Mt. Fuppushi-dake. At that time, I did not know that GNSS Station"M Tarumaeyama A" and crustal movement observation stations "Tarumaeyama 1" and "Tarumaeyama 2" had been set up.
Someday, I would like to visit there. though it will require a certain level of equipment and commitment.
Mt. Fuppushi-dake seen from the shore of Lake Shikotsu,
the headstream of the Chitose River.（Photo: 2018-02-06)