Scientists have just found the largest volcano on earth, spanning 280 miles by 400 miles -- the size of the state of Arizona.

In the study published by Nature, findings reveal that Tamu Massif is one of the largest volcanoes in our solar system. Found in the depths of the Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 miles east of Japan, the monster volcano has been observed for years now. It was first believed to be composed of several volcanoes that have merged together until the study revealed that Tamu Massif is in fact, a single volcano.

USA Today reports that researchers visited the site of the volcano and "sent seismic waves" through air guns to find out more about Tamu Massif.

"We saw what appear to be lava flows going out from the center of the volcano in all directions, with no obvious large secondary source of volcanism," lead author William Sager explained. He said the discovery led them to conclude that the site is "one huge volcano."

According to the Washington Post, the new discovery has changed several record books. It has toppled previous record holder for the Earth's largest volcano, Mauna Loa -- one of the five that form the island of Hawaii. It also rivals the solar system's record holder Olympus Mons, found on Mars.

"We show that the Tamu Massif is a single, immense volcano, constructed from massive lava flows that emanated from the volcano centre to form a broad, shield-like shape," the study wrote. "We suggest that the Tamu Massif could be the largest single volcano on Earth and that it is comparable in size to the largest volcano in the Solar System, Olympus Mons on Mars."

Tamu Massif -- which got its name from the abbreviation of Texas A&M University, the first home of the team who studied the volcano -- is completely submerged in the ocean and geophysicist William Sager tells USA Today that the peak of the volcano may have never rose above sea level.

According to the Washington Post, Tamu Massif isn't posing any dangers of eruption.