Declassified Documents Reveal the Truth Behind a Secret U.S. Military Base Hidden Under Ice

How a Cold War-era experiment turned into a forgotten nuclear hazard beneath Greenland’s melting glaciers

It sounds like something straight out of a spy thriller, but during the height of the Cold War, the U.S. military secretly constructed an underground base beneath the Arctic ice. This base, known as Camp Century, was initially presented as a scientific research facility to both the public and the Danish government. However, declassified documents have now shed light on its true purpose—a covert military installation designed to house nuclear missiles capable of striking the Soviet Union.

The base, now a relic of a bygone era, represents both the ingenuity and recklessness of Cold War military strategy. While the world was focused on the space race and nuclear arms race, the U.S. quietly worked on a high-risk, high-reward experiment under layers of ice. The secrecy surrounding this project remained intact for decades, but today, melting ice sheets are forcing us to reckon with the unintended consequences of human intervention in extreme environments.

The Secret Beneath the Ice

The U.S. military established Camp Century in 1959 under the guise of an Arctic research station. It was located in northwestern Greenland, a territory belonging to Denmark. Although the official narrative promoted its role in polar science, the real intention was far more sinister. The base was actually part of Project Iceworm, a classified U.S. military initiative to deploy nuclear weapons under the Arctic ice.

At its peak, Camp Century housed more than 200 military personnel and was equipped with:
✔️ Tunnels stretching for miles beneath the surface
✔️ A nuclear power plant, making it one of the first mobile nuclear reactors ever deployed
✔️ Living quarters, offices, research labs, a library, and even a barbershop

What made Camp Century unique was its self-sufficiency. Unlike other military bases that depended on external supplies, this underground city was designed to function in isolation for extended periods. Soldiers and scientists relied on snow-melting machines for water, and food was stored in bulk to sustain them through the harsh Arctic winters. However, despite the best efforts to create a permanent military presence, the forces of nature had other plans.

One of the biggest challenges was the constant movement of ice. The Greenland Ice Sheet is not a static mass—it moves, shifts, and changes shape, creating cracks and structural instability. This movement would prove to be the ultimate downfall of Camp Century.

How Was Camp Century Built?

The construction of Camp Century was an engineering marvel, pushing the limits of what was possible in extreme conditions. The U.S. Army had to carve out hundreds of feet of tunnels into the ice using massive trenching machines. These tunnels, reinforced with steel and wood, created a maze-like infrastructure capable of housing military personnel, equipment, and supplies.

However, this project wasn’t just about brute force—it required cutting-edge innovation. Engineers used a technique known as cut-and-cover, where trenches were dug into the ice and then covered with arched steel supports before being buried under fresh snow. This method was meant to provide insulation and stability, preventing the tunnels from collapsing under the pressure of shifting ice.

Despite these efforts, Camp Century’s location presented serious challenges. The freezing temperatures, shifting ice, and remoteness meant that maintenance was an ongoing battle. Snow and ice had to be constantly removed from the tunnels, and soldiers regularly used electric chainsaws to keep the pathways open. The battle against nature was relentless, and despite its sophisticated design, the base was slowly losing ground—literally.

Social Media Reactions: The Internet Reacts to Camp Century

When news of Camp Century’s declassified documents surfaced, social media exploded with reactions. From history buffs to environmentalists, people had strong opinions about the hidden nuclear base and its potential environmental risks.

📢 Twitter Post:
🚨 Hidden Nuclear Base Under Greenland’s Ice? Declassified Cold War documents reveal the U.S. built Camp Century under the Arctic! Now, global warming is exposing its radioactive waste. Should the U.S. clean it up? 🧐 Read more: https://bit.ly/camp-century-exposed #CampCentury #ColdWarSecrets

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📢 Reddit Discussion Thread:
🧊 The Cold War’s Forgotten Base is Melting! Scientists warn that the U.S. military’s abandoned nuclear waste in Greenland’s ice could soon reach the ocean. Should the U.S. be responsible for the cleanup? Join the discussion here: https://www.reddit.com/r/coldwar/comments/camp_century_melting/

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📢 Facebook Post:
🇺🇸 Cold War Mystery Uncovered! A secret U.S. military base under Greenland’s ice is resurfacing due to climate change. With radioactive waste and toxic chemicals still buried beneath, experts warn of a potential ecological disaster. What should be done? Read more here: https://bit.ly/camp-century-exposed

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Nuclear Power and a Looming Disaster

One of the most ambitious elements of Camp Century was its nuclear power plant, which became operational in 1960. The reactor was meant to provide energy for heating, lighting, and maintaining the underground city.

⚠️ However, the nuclear reactor had serious issues. Shortly after activation, it began leaking radiation into the surrounding ice. The situation became too dangerous to ignore, and by 1963, the military shut it down due to the high risk of contamination.

Abandoning the Icy Fortress

As the years went on, the glacial ice continued to shift, causing tunnels to collapse and rendering the facility unsafe. In 1966, the U.S. military abandoned Camp Century, withdrawing personnel and equipment. Officials assumed that the base would be permanently buried under ice, never to be seen again. However, this assumption failed to account for the long-term impact of climate change.

At the time, abandoning the base seemed like a logical decision. The military removed valuable equipment and shut down the nuclear reactor, but they left behind a significant amount of radioactive waste, toxic chemicals, and human sewage. These materials were meant to be locked away forever beneath layers of ice, but as temperatures rise, they are now at risk of being exposed and leaking into the environment.

In 1969, U.S. Army research engineer Austin Kovacs revisited the site to assess its condition. What he found was a base in ruins—tunnels had collapsed, rooms were filled with snow, and the once-thriving underground city was crumbling under the force of shifting ice. The fate of Camp Century was sealed—it would soon become another forgotten relic of the Cold War.

But the story doesn’t end there. In 2016, scientists published a study warning that melting ice in Greenland could soon reveal the base’s toxic remains. They estimated that over 200,000 liters of diesel fuel, PCBs (toxic industrial chemicals), and radioactive coolant from the nuclear reactor could seep into the surrounding environment. At the time, climate scientist Mike MacFerrin called it only a “matter of time” before this hazardous waste made its way into the ocean.

The U.S. and Denmark now face a difficult question: Who is responsible for cleaning up this Cold War-era mess? Should the U.S. take responsibility for its abandoned project, or does Denmark, as the governing body of Greenland, bear the burden? With each passing year, the urgency to address this issue grows, but as of today, the base remains a forgotten hazard beneath the ice—waiting to be unearthed once again.

What Happens Next?

With Camp Century now partially exposed, governments and scientists face a difficult decision:

1️⃣ Should the U.S. and Denmark remove the waste before it causes harm?
2️⃣ Can the site be safely restored or monitored?
3️⃣ What lessons can be learned from this Cold War-era miscalculation?

Final Thoughts

The story of Camp Century is a cautionary tale about military ambition, secrecy, and the unintended consequences of human intervention in nature. What was once a hidden Cold War base is now a symbol of climate change’s impact on forgotten history.

With rising global temperatures, the ice that was once thought to be an impenetrable vault is now revealing secrets long buried. Camp Century is just the beginning—who knows what else the Arctic will uncover in the years to come?

🔗 Join the conversation on social media:
📢 Twitter: #CampCentury
📢 Reddit: Cold War Secrets
📢 Facebook: History Enthusiasts Group

What do you think? Should the U.S. and Denmark be responsible for cleaning up the site? Share your thoughts below! 👇

Featured Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory