Klippe are isolated mountains that were originally formed elsewhere and later displaced by tectonic forces. These rock layers were pushed over other rock bodies, and after long-term erosion by wind, rain, and rivers, they became separated from surrounding formations.
As a result, the upper layers of a klippe consist of rocks such as the Atogura Formation, which were formed from sediment that accumulated on the seafloor around 130 million years ago. Meanwhile, the lower rocks are younger greenstones (metamorphic rocks) that originated deep underground.
To the south of Shimonita, you can see a range of unusually shaped mountains. These rare formations are known in Japan as “Floating Mountains” or Klippe. Examples include:
• Kamanuki-yama
• Ōyama
• Ontake
• Ōguyama
• Kawai-yama
• Yotsumata-yama
