Yonaguni Monument
Yonaguni-jima Kaitei Chikei · Yonaguni Submarine Topography · Japan's Atlantis
Geological: Early Miocene sandstone (20 Ma) formation; if artificial, claimed Jomon or earlier (10,000–2000 BCE)·Disputed – natural geology vs hypothetical Jomon / lost Pacific civilization·🇯🇵 Okinawa Prefecture, Ryukyu Islands, Japan
About
About Yonaguni Monument
Submerged sandstone formation off Yonaguni Island discovered 1986 featuring stepped terraces up to 27 m high, flat surfaces and apparent right angles at 25–30 m depth, extending ~150×40 m. Debate continues whether natural fractured sandstone or modified/man-made relic from when sea level was lower.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why formation shows striking step-like symmetry unlike nearby coasts
- 02Ages vs sea-level rise timeline mismatch
Theories
- 01Kimura's 10-ka sunken Mu/Atlantis city – largely rejected
- 02Natural bedding-plane fractures + wave erosion (Schoch) + minor human modification of natural rock
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Natural formation; artificial claim would predate pyramids (8000–10,000 BCE hypothesized)
- Period
- Geological: Early Miocene sandstone (20 Ma) formation; if artificial, claimed Jomon or earlier (10,000–2000 BCE)
- Culture
- Disputed – natural geology vs hypothetical Jomon / lost Pacific civilization
- Purpose
- If artificial: ceremonial or settlement; if natural: marine erosion bedding planes
- Excavation
- Not applicable
Natural formation; artificial claim would predate pyramids (8000–10,000 BCE hypothesized)
Initial construction
c. 1179 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
24.4320° N · 123.0110° E · -25 m · 3 mapped features
- 24.4348° N · 123.0107° E
Main Terrace (Iseki Point)
submerged terrace - 24.4311° N · 123.0121° E
The Triangle (Trigon)
submerged structure - 24.4330° N · 123.0095° E
Turtle Stone
submerged rock
Gallery