Nasa: 'Chain of snow-capped mountains' discovered on Pluto

A 'chain of snow-capped mountains' has been discovered on the surface of Pluto by a team from Nasa.

The New Horizons team analysed data and imagery from the planet's so-called 'Cthulhu region', which appeared to show peaks covered with methane ice which they believe condensed out of Pluto's thin atmosphere.

Nasa said the range is situated among craters, with narrow valleys separating its peaks and the upper slopes of the highest peaks are coated with a bright material that contrasts sharply with the dark red colour of the surrounding plains.

Cthulhu, which is slightly larger than the state of Alaska, has geology which exhibits a wide variety of landscapes, from mountainous to smooth, and heavily cratered and fractured.