Story perspectives

NASA Uncovers Abandoned Cold War Base, Environmental Threats Loom

10/17/2025

Summary

Story summary

In April 2024, NASA discovered the remains of Camp Century, a secret U.S. military base buried under Greenland’s ice.
The base was built in 1959 for Project Iceworm and abandoned in 1967 due to unstable ice.
Advanced UAVSAR radar revealed 21 tunnels and raised concerns about 47,000 gallons of radioactive waste left behind.
Melting ice from rising temperatures threatens contamination of local ecosystems and communities, underscoring Cold War–era environmental dangers.

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Story summary

In April 2024, NASA discovered the remains of Camp Century, a secret U.S. military base buried under Greenland’s ice.
The base was built in 1959 for Project Iceworm and abandoned in 1967 due to unstable ice.
Advanced UAVSAR radar revealed 21 tunnels and raised concerns about 47,000 gallons of radioactive waste left behind.
Melting ice from rising temperatures threatens contamination of local ecosystems and communities, underscoring Cold War–era environmental dangers.