Camp Century, a secret US military base built beneath Greenland's ice sheet during the Cold War, is now raising serious environmental concerns as climate change accelerates Arctic warming. The facility, constructed in 1960 and abandoned in 1967, was originally presented as an Arctic research station but was actually designed to store nuclear missiles within striking distance of the Soviet Union.

The base, located about 150 miles from Thule Air Base (now Pituffik Space Base), was an engineering marvel of its time. Nicknamed the "city under the ice," it featured an extensive network of underground tunnels housing dormitories, a kitchen, medical facilities, and even recreational areas for up to 200 personnel. Most notably, it was powered by a portable nuclear reactor - the first of its kind.

However, the true purpose of Camp Century - to store up to 600 nuclear missiles as part of "Project Iceworm" - was not declassified until 1995. The project was ultimately canceled just three years after the base's construction due to concerns about the stability of the ice sheet.

Now, as climate change causes unprecedented melting in the Arctic, the abandoned base is posing a significant environmental threat. A 2016 study found that over 50,000 gallons of diesel fuel, 63,000 gallons of sewage and radioactive coolant, and an unknown amount of toxic PCBs remain buried at the site. Researchers estimate that at current melting rates, this hazardous waste could resurface around 2100.

The situation raises complex questions about responsibility for cleanup efforts. Greenland and Denmark have allocated some funds for remediation of abandoned US military sites, but the scale of the Camp Century problem may require more extensive intervention. The US has not formally accepted responsibility for cleaning up the facility.

As the Arctic continues to warm faster than any other region on Earth, the Camp Century case highlights the potential for long-buried environmental hazards to reemerge due to climate change. It also underscores the need for international cooperation in addressing the legacy of Cold War military activities in sensitive ecosystems.