Friday morning (17 Nov), there is still NO eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, but scientists continue to believe that a new eruption is likely to start in the coming days.
Magmatic gas was detected at a borehole in Svartsengi (near the Blue Lagoon), which indicates that magma is close to the surface. As well, inflation of the ground has continued as magma continues to intrude at shallow depth.
Earthquake activity has been constant over the past days. More than 600 small tremors have been recorded in the area over the last 24-hour time span. It is actually typical for seismic activity to be calmer in a period immediately before an eruption, until magma pressure suddenly exceeds a threshold to open its final path to the surface and erupt.
Grindavík residents can return today from 9am to collect valuables, although the only access route today is via Grindavíkurvegur from Reykjanesbraut, according to the national broadcast company RUV.