'Mordor under the sea' found off Australia

Scientists have discovered a cluster of submerged underwater volcanoes that depicts a landscape from Lord of the rings.

This advanced technology which uses seismic waves to give accurate images of the area. The complex was created 35 million years ago.

Researchers discovered 26 ancient lava flows, measuring up to 34km in length and 15km in width and buried 820 feet deep beneath the sea.

“The technology we have used is similar in many ways to what is used to produce ultrasound images of babies, but for the Earth,” says one of the team, Nick Schofield, a senior lecturer at the University of Aberdeen's School of Geosciences.

“By using this technique, we have a unique insight into a landscape that has remained hidden for millions of years, highlighting the growing importance of seismic data in studying submarine volcanism.”

"By using data acquired as part of oil exploration efforts, we have been able to map these ancient lava flows in unprecedented detail, revealing a spectacular volcanic landscape that brings to mind illustrations from Lord of the Rings," he said in a statement.

The research has been published in the American Geophysical Union Journal.