The location of the project of a new airport in Hvassahraun area on the Reykjanes peninsula, which will suppose to substitute Reykjavik capital airport (ICAO: BIRK), should be reconsidered. This is the opinion of Icelandic parliament member of the Left Movement-Green Party Ari Trausti Guðmundsson, Morgunblaðið reported.
Ari Trausti Guðmundsson, who has graduated with a degree in Earth sciences from the University of Oslo in 1973 and later completed postgraduate studies in earth sciences in the University of Iceland, pints to the series of the earthquake, which happened on the Reykjanes last week. In his speech in parliament, he emphasized the four volcanic systems on the Reykjanes peninsula, especially two of those closer to the capital area. One of these closest was Krísuvík volcano system, where the epicentre of the earthquake with M5.6 situated last week. The earthquake is turned out to be the strongest for the last 17 years.
“The average year between metabolic periods on the Reykjanes peninsula is about 750-800 years. That time has now passed. It ended around 1240 years ago. Therefore, it could be the beginning of a new era, as if there is unrest in the westernmost systems. It is possible that the current activity will continue during the next years or decades with similar cycles from time to time. Another scenario, supported by analyses and measurements, that the activity will gradually increase the number of events, including cracking movements and magma intrusions, “says Ari Trausti Guðmundsson. That is why Ari Trausti now sees reason to reconsider the assessment of natural hazards during a discussion about the project of an airport in Hvassahraun area.
Ari Trausti Guðmundsson also says that the idea of Hvassahraun Airport as an alternate airport for Keflavik is not the best, as the weather conditions in Hvassahraun and Keflavík are very similar at any given time. According to the new aviation policy and transport plan, airports in Akureyri and Egilsstaðir are expected to be alternate airports.
Last week half of the MPs from the Independence Party and the Progressive Party, the majority of the MPs from the Center Party, both MPs from the People’s Party and one MP from the Left-Green Party have submitted a parliamentary resolution on a referendum on the future of Reykjavík airport (ICAO: BIRK). The main question on the referendum will be if the airport in the capital’s downtown should continue to exist.
The member of Icelandic parliament Alþingi from Pirate party Smári McCarthy argues against the necessity of a referendum. According to him, a substitute should appear before the closure of existed airport will happen. He adds that there are contracts in the airport that need to be honoured, and the airport “is not going anywhere” until a substitute of the same quality will appear.
