Cold‑War Time Bomb in Greenland: Camp Century’s Buried Waste Reemerges as Arctic Ice Thins

Camp Century, a Cold‑War U.S. base built beneath northwest Greenland’s ice and decommissioned in 1967, is reemerging as warming thins the ice. A Geophysical Research Letters study estimates the site still holds >240,000 L of sewage, ~200,000 L of diesel and unknown radioactive coolant that could leach into Arctic waters. Scientists warn contaminants may enter food chains and ocean currents, threatening health, biodiversity and fisheries, while broader thaw raises storm‑surge and sea‑level risks. Cleanup faces major logistical and political hurdles under Danish jurisdiction.

03:24 PM, 11/26/2025Environment

Cold‑War Time Bomb in Greenland: Camp Century’s Buried Waste Reemerges as Arctic Ice Thins

Camp Century, a once top‑secret U.S. military installation built under northwest Greenland’s ice during the Cold War, is beginning to reappear as rising temperatures thin the ice sheet. Decommissioned in 1967, the site was never fully removed because engineers at the time assumed the tunnels and stored materials would remain permanently frozen. Decades of warming have changed that expectation.

A study published in Geophysical Research Letters estimates the site still contains more than 240,000 liters of sewage and wastewater, roughly 200,000 liters of diesel fuel, and an unknown quantity of radioactive coolant from the camp’s nuclear‑powered systems. Researchers warn those hazardous materials will eventually escape the site as the ice melts and could enter surrounding ecosystems.

"It was reasonable to expect it to snow forever. We have to say, these aren't tombs for eternity," said William Colgan, a glaciologist at York University. If sewage, fuel and radioactive residues leach into local waters, they could contaminate food chains and be carried by currents into wider ocean systems, threatening human health, Arctic biodiversity and fisheries.

Why this matters beyond Greenland

The Arctic plays a critical role in regulating global climate and ocean circulation. As ice and permafrost vanish, that regulatory influence weakens: coastal communities face higher storm tides and increased flooding during extreme weather. Scientists also warn of other thaw‑related hazards, including potential releases of ancient pathogens from permafrost in Siberia and rapid ice loss from Greenland’s Petermann Glacier, which could accelerate sea‑level rise.

Monitoring, responsibility and the practical hurdles

Camp Century currently falls under Danish jurisdiction. Scientists continue to monitor the site, but any cleanup would confront severe logistical, technical and political challenges in a remote, changing Arctic environment. Options under discussion include containment, targeted removal of hazardous materials, and international cooperation to fund and execute remediation work.

Experts stress that awareness and early planning are essential. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains the most effective way to limit further thawing, while investments in monitoring, community preparedness and targeted mitigation can reduce near‑term risks from specific sites like Camp Century.

What individuals can do

While the problem requires government and international action, individuals can support policy measures that lower planet‑warming emissions and strengthen disaster readiness. Practical steps include switching to energy‑efficient appliances, reducing food waste, and backing policies that accelerate clean energy and climate resilience.