Ynys Lawd (Welsh) | |
|---|---|
 | |
  South Stack Location with Anglesey | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Irish Sea nearHolyhead,Anglesey |
| Coordinates | 53°18′24.40″N4°41′56.91″W / 53.3067778°N 4.6991417°W /53.3067778; -4.6991417 |
| Length | 0.15 mi (0.24 km) |
| Width | 0.1 mi (0.2 km) |
| Highest point | 134 ft (41 m) |
South Stack (Welsh:Ynys Lawd) is an island situated just offHoly Island on the northwest coast ofAnglesey, Wales.
South Stack is an island known as asea stack. It was formed by thewave erosion of sedimentary rocks that once connected the island to the mainland.[1]
The area is known geologically as theSouth Stack Formation. Itsstrata includessandstones and interbeddedshales which have been contorted by largefolds and crumples. The folds can be seen in theseacliffs (best viewed from the steps leading down to the lighthouse). Thick beds of pure HolyheadQuartzite, which forms the bulk ofHolyhead Mountain, lie above these foldedsedimentary rocks. Similar evidence of upthrusts can be seen in the cliffs to the south of South Stack.[2]
The geology of South Stack has been chosen as one of the top 100 geosites in the United Kingdom byGeological Society of London, for its display of small-scale folding.[3]
South Stack Lighthouse, which was completed in 1809, is sited 41 metres (135 ft) above the sea on South Stack. Its lamp tower is 28 m (92 ft)-tall and the lighthouse complex covers seven acres (2.8 ha). There are over 390 stone steps and 10 metal steps down to the footbridge.
Originally the only way to cross to the island was in a basket suspended from a hemp cable. In 1828, an ironsuspension bridge was built; it was replaced in 1964 with a steel cable truss bridge. However, in 1983 it had to be closed to the public due to safety concerns. After a new aluminium bridge was built, the lighthouse was reopened to the public in 1997. It has become a popular destination, attracting thousands of visitors every year.
The island's cliffs are part of theSouth Stack Cliffs RSPB reserve which are home to an estimated 8,000 nesting birds during the breeding season. AnRSPB visitor centre (withbird hide) is located atElin's Tower on the mainland. Birds and marine life seen from the centre includechoughs,peregrine falcons, andkestrels as well asharbour porpoises,grey seals,Risso's dolphins andbottlenose dolphins.
In 2019, proposals to develop a 35 km2 (14 mi2) 'West Anglesey Demonstration Zone' tidal energy project at South Stack were submitted under theTransport and Works Act 1992 to theWelsh Government for planning consent.[4] Consent for the project, calledMorlais was awarded in December 2021 and construction of the onshore grid connection works took place in 2023.[5][6]
As the development will come within 500 metres (1,600 ft) of the South StackSSSI, concerns have been expressed about the visual impact on the AngleseyArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Holyhead MountainHeritage Coast, along with the resultant impact on the tourism, recreation and fishing sectors. The developers have identified that seabird and mammal populations would be affected within the Holy Island CoastSpecial Area of Conservation andSpecial Protection Area along with the North Anglesey Marine Special Area of Conservation. Most notablybottlenose dolphin andharbour porpoise would likely be affected, whilstrazorbill andcommon guillemot will be severely impacted. TheRSPB is concerned that the razorbill colony on South Stack could be wiped out.[7]
Part of theAnglesey Coastal Path, which is a 200-kilometre (124 mi)long-distance footpath around the island ofAnglesey, passes South Stack.[8] The Cybi Circular Walk aroundHolyhead Mountain has long and short variants; the short walk is four miles (6.4 km) long and takes around two hours to complete. Travelling from the Breakwater Country Park, other sites along the way are the North Stack Fog Signal station,Caer y Tŵr, and Tŷ MawrHut Circles.
South Stack's natural beauty has been used in photography and literature. The cover photo forRoxy Music'sSiren album, featuring modelJerry Hall, was taken directly below the central span of the bridge on a slope on the south side, by Graham Hughes in August 1975.[9] In 2010, a French comic entitledLes Gardiens des Enfers (The Guardians of Hell) was published. Its story is mainly set in South Stack lighthouse in 1859. The cover and the first pages can be seen on the publisher's website.[10]
Islands ofAnglesey | |
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53°18′24.5″N4°41′55.5″W / 53.306806°N 4.698750°W /53.306806; -4.698750
