Noxious fumes coming from Kilauea Volcano

HONOLULU, March 28 (UPI) -- Scientists said they are working around the clock monitoring noxious gas emissions and seismic activity at Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii.

The volcano last week experienced its first explosive eruption since 1924.

The U.S. Geological Survey said sulfur dioxide emissions at the volcano's summit have increased to a rate that is likely to be hazardous for areas downwind of Halema'uma'u crater. Future explosions are possible, the agency said Thursday in a release.

"This historic activity has created new hazards that did not exist before -- explosive eruptions as well as toxic sulfur dioxide emissions -- in the middle of a national park," U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program Coordinator John Eichelberger said. "Our job is to give emergency responders and the civil defense community the very best information we can provide about what the volcano is doing and what it is likely to do in the future."