Scientists in Japan have proved for the first time that water can exist hundreds of miles beneath the surface of the earth.

It was previously thought that water couldn’t exist so far down due to the high pressure and temperatures.

Using a device to simulate the earth’s mantle more than 700 miles underground, the team at Ehime University showed that water can in fact exist deep under the surface.

Experts say the finding will be useful in better understanding the formation of the earth billions of years ago.