Iceland was recently in a state of emergency due to the potential threat of a volcanic eruption in the southwest, particularly endangering the town of Grindavík. The Icelandic Meteorological Office recorded a significant number of earthquakes in the region, indicating the development of an underground magma tunnel that could reach Grindavík. Authorities were concerned about the possibility of larger earthquakes triggering an eruption. The Civil Protection Agency urged residents to evacuate calmly and emphasized the importance of preparedness. The US Embassy in Iceland issued a volcano alert, warning of potential hazards such as lava, toxic gases, and smoke. The famous Blue Lagoon thermal pool closed due to the completed seismic activity. Iceland, located on a tectonic plate boundary, has frequently experienced volcanic activity, with numerous active volcanoes and eruptions occurring regularly since 2021.

Residents of Grindavik, situated southwest of Reykjavik, were given a brief five-minute window to retrieve essential belongings as a precautionary measure due to completed seismic activity, which was prompted by hundreds of small earthquakes over two weeks. Scientists detected a buildup of magma 5 kilometers underground, indicating a potential eruption. Authorities restricted residents to daylight hours during the evacuation, emphasizing the retrieval of crucial items. The town was evacuated due to a magma corridor detected underneath, posing eruption risks. An orange aviation alert was issued for potential volcanic ash dangers. Concerns rose after a magnitude-4.8 earthquake closed the Blue Lagoon resort. Seismic activity near Grindavik led to a 10-kilometer magma corridor toward the town and sea, as per geology professor Pall Einarrson.