NASA scientists recently made a fascinating discovery while flying over Greenland – the rediscovery of an abandoned Cold War city called Camp Century. This “city” was initially built in 1959 as a secret US base to serve as a launch site for ballistic missiles aimed at the Soviet Union. However, due to the encroaching ice, the project was abandoned in 1966, leaving the base to deteriorate over time.
Chad Greene and Alex Gardner from NASA stumbled upon Camp Century during a routine flight to map ice sheets and predict future sea level rise. The radar images they captured revealed the structures of the base buried under layers of ice, shedding new light on a well-known but long-forgotten piece of history. What was once a covert military installation has now become a subject of scientific curiosity and historical significance.
While the official purpose of Camp Century was to test sub-ice construction techniques, its true intention was to create a concealed launch site in the event of a conflict with the Soviets. The base’s abandonment in the mid-1960s left behind a substantial environmental issue, with an estimated 200,000 liters of diesel oil and sewage contaminating the site. This has sparked a debate over who should be responsible for the cleanup, with Greenland urging Denmark, the land’s owner, to address the issue.
The geopolitical implications of Camp Century’s rediscovery have also resurfaced, particularly in light of former President Donald Trump’s interest in purchasing Greenland from Denmark. As Greenland’s ice sheet continues to melt, previously inaccessible resources such as precious metals and minerals are becoming more exposed. This presents both economic opportunities and environmental challenges, as rising sea levels threaten coastal communities worldwide.
The resurgence of Camp Century highlights the interconnectedness of history, science, and environmental stewardship. As researchers delve deeper into the mysteries hidden beneath the ice, they are not only uncovering relics of the past but also confronting the realities of a changing climate. The story of Camp Century serves as a reminder of the enduring legacies of the Cold War and the urgent need to address the environmental consequences of past military activities.