Editing South Stack

{{Short description|Island off northwest Anglesey, Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox islands
| name                              = South Stack
| local_name                       = {{native_name|cy|Ynys Lawd}}
| native_name_link                  = 
| native_name_lang                  = Welsh
| sobriquet                         = <!-- or |nickname= -->
| image                             = File:South Stack lighthouse aerial.jpg
| image_size                        = 200px
| image_caption                     = [[South Stack Lighthouse]]
| pushpin_map                       = Wales Anglesey
| pushpin_map_caption               = Location with Anglesey
| coordinates                       = {{coord|53|18|24.40|N|4|41|56.91|W|scale:5000|display=inline}}
| etymology                         = 
| location                          = [[Irish Sea]] near [[Holyhead]], [[Anglesey]]
| grid_reference                    = <!-- UK only -->
| archipelago                       = 
| waterbody                         = 
| total_islands                     = 
| major_islands                     = 
| area_sqmi                         = <!-- or |area_sqft= or |area_acre= -->
| area_footnotes                    = 
| rank                              = 
| length_mi                         = 0.15
| length_footnotes                  = 
| width_mi                          = 0.1
| width_footnotes                   = 
| coastline_mi                      = <!-- or |coastline_ft= -->
| coastline_footnotes               = 
| elevation_ft                      = 
| elevation_footnotes               = 
| highest_mount                     = {{convert|134|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| utc_offset1_DST                   = 
| website                           = 
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}}

'''South Stack''' ({{langx|cy|Ynys Lawd}}) is an island situated just off [[Holy Island, Anglesey|Holy Island]] on the northwest coast of [[Anglesey]], Wales.

==Geology==
[[File:South Stack3.JPG|thumb|left|[[fold (geology)|Folding]] in the [[South Stack Formation]] can be seen in the rocks of the mainland's sea cliffs.]]
South Stack is an island known as a [[Stack (geology)|sea stack]]. It was formed by the [[wave erosion]] of sedimentary rocks that once connected the island to the mainland.<ref> Stacks are formed over time by wind and water, processes of coastal geomorphology. [http://www.britannica.com/ebchecked/topic/123147/coastal-landform/49793/sea-stacks "Sea stacks"] britannica.com  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414225722/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/123147/coastal-landform/49793/Sea-stacks |date=14 April 2009}}</ref> 

The area is known geologically as the [[South Stack Formation]]. Its [[Stratum|strata]] includes [[sandstone]]s and interbedded [[shale]]s which have been contorted by large [[fold (geology)|folds and crumples]]. The folds can be seen in the [[seacliff]]s (best viewed from the steps leading down to the lighthouse). Thick beds of pure Holyhead [[Quartzite]], which forms the bulk of [[Holyhead Mountain]], lie above these folded [[sedimentary rock]]s. Recent studies suggests the rocks appearance was caused by large scale earth movements which is not a part of the normal sedimentary process; however, this theory remains controversial. Similar evidence of upthrusts can be seen in the cliffs to the south of South Stack.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://angleseynature.co.uk/geology.html |title=South Stack Geology |website=angleseynature.co.uk |access-date=24 August 2020}}</ref>

The geology of South Stack has been chosen as one of the top 100 geosites in the United Kingdom by [[Geological Society of London]], for its display of small-scale folding.<ref name="GeolSoc">{{cite web |url=http://apps.esriuk.com/app/GreatGeosites/3/wmt/view/5e0d44970b3a4b4dafb7da0404b2d8ed/index.html |title=The Geological Society's 100 Great Geosites |publisher=The Geological Society |year=2014 |access-date=14 October 2014}}</ref>

==Lighthouse==
[[File:South Stack Lighthouse - geograph.org.uk - 870858.jpg|thumb|[[South Stack Lighthouse]], which was first built in the early 19th century, is connected to the mainland via a footbridge.]]
[[South Stack Lighthouse]], which was completed in 1809, is sited {{convert|41|m}} above the sea on South Stack. Its lamp tower is {{convert|28|m|ft|abbr=on}}-tall and the lighthouse complex covers {{convert|7|acre|spell=in}}. 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 iron [[suspension 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.

==Nature reserve==
The island's cliffs are part of the [[South Stack Cliffs RSPB reserve]] which are home to an estimated 8,000 nesting birds during the breeding season. An [[RSPB]] visitor centre (with [[bird hide]]) is  located at [[Elin's Tower]] on the mainland. Birds and marine life seen from the centre include [[Red-billed chough|choughs]], [[peregrine falcon]]s, and [[Common kestrel|kestrels]] as well as [[harbour porpoise]]s, [[grey seal]]s, [[Risso's dolphin]]s and [[bottlenose dolphin]]s.

===Tidal energy project===
In 2019, proposals to develop a {{convert|35|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} 'West Anglesey Demonstration Zone' tidal energy project at South Stack were submitted under the [[Transport and Works Act 1992]] to the [[Welsh Government]] for planning consent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.morlaisenergy.com |title=What is Morlais |publisher=[[Menter Môn]] |access-date=26 October 2019}}</ref> Consent for the project, called [[Morlais]] was awarded in December 2021 and construction of the onshore grid connection works took place in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 June 2023 |title=Jones Bros completes onshore works for Morlais |url=https://renews.biz/86507/jones-bros-completes-onshore-works-for-morlais/ |website=reNEWS.biz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2023 |title=Official opening of Wales' first tidal stream energy site on Anglesey |url=https://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/23870226.wales-first-tidal-stream-energy-site-opens-anglesey/ |access-date=1 December 2023 |website=North Wales Chronicle |language=en}}</ref>

As the development will come within {{convert|500|metres}} of the South Stack [[SSSI]], concerns have been expressed about the visual impact on the Anglesey [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]] and the Holyhead Mountain [[Heritage 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 Coast [[Special Area of Conservation]] and [[Special Protection Area]] along with the North Anglesey Marine Special Area of Conservation. Most notably [[bottlenose dolphin]] and [[harbour porpoise]] would likely be affected, whilst [[razorbill]] and [[common guillemot]] will be severely impacted. The [[RSPB]] is concerned that the razorbill colony on South Stack could be wiped out.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestovisit/southstackcliffs/b/southstackcliffs-blog/posts/update-on-morlais |title=Update on Morlais |website=rspb.org.uk |date=15 April 2020}}</ref>

==Walking trails==
Part of the [[Anglesey Coastal Path]], which is a {{convert|200|km|0|adj=on}} [[long-distance footpath]] around the island of [[Anglesey]], passes South Stack.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.walkingnorthwales.co.uk/home.php?/walk_details;id=992 |title=Circular walks - Holyhead: St Cybi |website=walkingnorthwales.co.uk |access-date=24 January 2013}}</ref> The Cybi Circular Walk around [[Holyhead Mountain]] has long and short variants; the short walk is {{convert|4|mi|spell=in}} 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 Mawr [[Hut Circle]]s.

==Media==
South Stack's natural beauty has been used in photography and literature. The cover photo for [[Roxy Music]]'s ''[[Siren (Roxy Music album)|Siren]]'' album was taken directly below the central span of the bridge on a slope on the south side, by Graham Hughes in August 1975.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roxy Music - Albums - on VivaRoxyMusic.com |url=http://www.vivaroxymusic.com/albums_7.php |website=vivaroxymusic.com |access-date=18 February 2016}}</ref> In 2010, a French comic entitled ''Les 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.<ref>[http://www.glenatbd.com/bd/les-gardiens-des-enfers-9782723475839.htm ''Les Gardiens des Enfers'']</ref>

==See also==
*[[South Stack fleawort]] (''Tephroseris integrifolia'' subsp. ''maritima''), a plant endemic to the area around South Stack
{{Commons cat|South Stack}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Islands of Anglesey}}

{{coord|53|18|24.5|N|4|41|55.5|W|region:GB_type:isle|display=title}}

[[Category:Islands of Anglesey]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Anglesey]]
[[Category:Trearddur]]