With geological studies under way to determine more precisely how much more land may be lost to storms this winter, the Gay Head Lighthouse now sits just 47 feet from the edge of the rapidly eroding Clay Cliffs. A plan that has the backing of the town of Aquinnah is taking shape to relocate the historic tower in the fall of 2014. The Coast Guard currently owns the lighthouse, which is managed by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. In early August the General Services Administration declared the lighthouse surplus property, and the next step is for the town to take ownership of the light.

“We can now apply to take ownership, and we certainly will,” said Aquinnah selectman Beverly Wright. A letter of intent went out to the federal government this month.

A town committee is exploring options for a site to relocate the lighthouse (high on the list is a town-owned lot nearby), and public and private fundraising efforts have kicked into high gear to raise $3 million for the move.

Meanwhile, the geological studies have attracted the attention of the U.S. Geological Survey. This is a world-class geological exposure,” said Byron Stone, a research geologist with the survey who is doing work at the cliffs, in a recent interview with the Gazette. “People from all over the world read about this. It’s one of the best examples and best exposed examples of glacial tectonics,” he said.

But the project to move the lighthouse is rapidly running short on time.

International Chimney Co., the Buffalo, N.Y., firm that has moved both the Cape Hatteras Light in North Carolina and the Sankaty Light on Nantucket, has said it can relocate the light, but at least 30 feet is needed around the tower to accomplish the move.

That leaves 17 feet to spare.

“There was a big slide recently on the western face of the cliff,” said Len Butler, who heads the town committee charged with planning the relocation. Mr. Butler said the landslide caused a large boulder of gray clay to come crashing down.

“That was a warning bell.”