NASA uncovers hidden Cold War base under Greenland ice
- NASA's UAVSAR technology discovered a hidden military base from the Cold War period beneath the Greenland ice.
- Camp Century was built in 1959 as a U.S. military facility for testing nuclear missile deployment and was buried in ice by 1967.
- The discovery raises concerns about potential contamination from the base's waste due to climate change affecting the ice sheet.
In April 2024, NASA engineers and scientists were conducting a science flight over the Greenland ice sheet using UAVSAR technology. This aircraft-mounted radar allowed for advanced dimensional mapping, which led to the unexpected discovery of Camp Century, a secret U.S. military base buried more than 100 feet beneath the ice since its abandonment in 1967. Originally constructed in 1959, Camp Century served as a testing site for potential nuclear missile deployment during the Cold War, featuring extensive tunnels and infrastructure designed to withstand harsh Arctic conditions. As temperatures during its construction often plunged between 10 and 20 degrees below zero, challenges such as limited daylight and snow made building the base particularly difficult. Ultimately, the facility was entombed in ice when it was abandoned, leading to a misconception that it may remain hidden indefinitely. However, a 2016 study indicated that a changing climate and fluctuating ice sheet conditions mean that waste from Camp Century could soon be exposed. Ground-penetrating radar revealed extensive biological, chemical, and radioactive waste located underneath the ice, covering 136 acres—a size approximating 100 football fields. NASA has been employing conventional radar techniques to assess the depth of Camp Century, facilitating future mappings of the ice sheet and determining the timeline concerning potential exposure of the site. The UAVSAR's serendipitous finding not only highlights the remnants of Cold War history but also emphasizes the implications of environmental changes in the Arctic region, raising concerns over the leaking of stored waste into the surrounding ecosystem. As the climate continues to shift, the fate of Camp Century represents a significant environmental challenge, with scientists now working to monitor its effects. This incident reflects the complex relationship between historical military strategies and modern-day environmental concerns. The potential unearthing of hazardous materials as climate change progresses signifies the importance of closely monitoring similar sites worldwide. The discovery prompts reflection on the responsibilities associated with historical military operations and the long-term environmental impacts they might incur, pressing for innovative solutions to manage waste buried under ice and snow, preventing contamination as climate conditions evolve.