A US Naval ship is currently berthed in Suva carrying a group of scientists who travel the world studying volcanic activity under the ocean.

The crew of the Roger Revelle have been observing volcanoes under the Pacific Ocean and chief scientist Joseph Ressing says the latest was close to Tonga.

The ship departs Suva today and their next stop is Samoa.

Their research is used in scientific publications and helping improve our understanding of volcanoes.