The He has revealed images of an abandoned American military base, known as Camp Centurywhich is found buried under 30 meters of ice in Greenland. This finding has been possible thanks to an innovative radar that has allowed scientists to obtain a new vision of this “city under ice.”
Camp Century was built in 1959 during the Cold War as part of a secret project of the US army. The base was intended to be a scientific research, But it also had a strategic military purpose. The project, known as “Iceworm Project”, was aimed at Evaluate the viability of launching from the Arctic in case of a conflict with the Soviet Union. However, due to extreme conditions and logistics challenges, the project was abandoned in 1967.
The base, which once housed more than 200 soldiers and scientists, It included laboratories, bedrooms, a chapel, a barbershop and even a small underground farm. All this was connected by a network of Ice excavated tunnels. Over time, the base was abandoned and was buried under layers of snow and ice, becoming a frozen time capsule.
NASA’s recent discovery has been possible thanks to a advanced ice penetration radarwhich has allowed scientists to map the structure of the base with an unprecedented detail. The images reveal not only the disposition of the tunnels and rooms, but also the Remains of equipment and supplies that were left behind when the base was abandoned.
This finding has generated great interest in the scientific community, since it offers a unique opportunity to study the effects of Greenland ice. As global temperatures increase, ice that covers Camp Century It is melting at an accelerated pace, which could release hazardous materials stored in the base, such as nuclear waste and toxic chemicals.
Scientists are using radar images to Plan future expeditions to the basewith the aim of recovering and analyzing these materials before they are released to the environment.
The ice penetration radar used by NASA is a powerful tool that has revolutionized the way scientists study ice layers. This radar emits radio waves that penetrate ice and bounce in underground structures, creating detailed images of what is underneath. This technology has been used above to study glaciers and ice layers in other parts of the world, but the discovery of Camp Century It is one of the most significant findings to date.
NASA’s team of scientists is working in close collaboration with researchers from Greenland and other countries to carry out an exhaustive study of the base. One of the main challenges they face is Logistics of working in such a remote and hostile environment. Temperatures in Greenland can descend to extremely low levels, and weather conditions can change rapidly, making access to the base difficult. In addition, the ice that covers Camp Century It is dynamic and is in constant movement, which further complicates excavation and recovery efforts.