Giant underwater volcano found beneath Arctic Ocean

The crew aboard the US Coast Guard research ship, the Cutter Healy made the discovery

Scientists working on a research ship in the Arctic Ocean, think they may have discovered a huge underwater volcano under the sea.

The crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Healy were working on a project to map the seafloor off the coast of Alaska, in the north-west United States, when they found it 1,600 metres beneath them.

A possible gas plume has been detected rising from it but as it is so far under the surface of the water, the experts say it's no threat to people.

“These findings are exciting and offer insight into what may exist beneath the ocean’s surface, much of which is unknown in this region,” said Captain Meghan McGovern from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

A volcano-like structure which was spewing gas was discovered while conducting a "sounding" - a measurement of a deep body of water. This image shows the results of the underwater "scans" they took.

The Cutter Healy is the Coast Guard’s only icebreaker designed to support research and the crew were joined by experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship Fairweather to help them map the waters.

The scientists were carrying out a scientific mission called the Alaskan Arctic Coast Port Access Route Study, when the underwater mountain range was found.

The mission's actual aim was to make sure ships that use these seas avoid clashes with other ships or underwater hazards.