Japan is hollowing out a mountain to build a massive underground observatory
Engineers are excavating deep within a Japanese mountain to construct a colossal cavern. This project, designed for high-precision scientific observation, requires water of such extreme purity that light can travel through it for over 100 metres without losing intensity.
The project involves creating a cavern that will reach a height of 94 metres upon completion. Located 600 metres beneath the mountain's peak, the site is managed by the Kamioka Observatory at the University of Tokyo.
To achieve the necessary experimental conditions, the water stored in the facility's tank is processed using ion exchange resin and other purification methods. This creates an environment where light transmission remains unattenuated over significant distances, a critical requirement for the facility's scientific objectives.
