Mysterious Subterranean Secret U.S. Military Base
DOCUMENTARY TUBE・18 minutes read
A complex of interconnecting tunnels and buildings was constructed under Greenland's ice cap at Camp Century, including a nuclear power plant meticulously assembled by Captain Jim Barnett. The nuclear reactor successfully went critical, powering the modern community with sophisticated facilities to withstand the harsh Arctic environment.
Insights
- Camp Century, located under Greenland's ice cap, was a groundbreaking project that involved the construction of a complex network of tunnels and facilities, including a nuclear power plant, to support research and living quarters in extreme Arctic conditions.
- The meticulous construction and activation of the nuclear power plant at Camp Century, overseen by Captain Jim Barnett, showcased the innovative methods and precautions taken to ensure safety, including the precise handling of uranium fuel elements and the gradual activation of the reactor core to prevent criticality, marking a significant technological achievement in a challenging environment.
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Recent questions
What is Camp Century and where is it located?
Camp Century is a research facility situated under Greenland's ice cap, with ice descending 6,000 feet. It houses research labs, living quarters, and support facilities, symbolizing man's struggle to conquer harsh environments.
How was the nuclear power plant transported to Camp Century?
Due to the impracticality of transporting diesel fuel, a nuclear power plant was installed at Camp Century. The plant was meticulously transported to the camp, located 150 miles from Thule, despite challenging Arctic conditions.
What were the key features of Camp Century's construction?
Camp Century's construction involved digging 23 trenches into the ice cap, covering them with steel arches and snow. The facility included prefabricated buildings erected within tunnels, interconnected corridors, and a unique water solution for fresh water supply.
What precautions were taken during the nuclear power plant's construction?
During the construction of the nuclear power plant at Camp Century, meticulous precautions were taken. This included unwrapping, inspecting, and loading fuel elements into a storage tank, with each element containing approximately 500 grams of uranium 235.
How was the nuclear reactor at Camp Century activated?
The nuclear reactor at Camp Century was activated by gradually loading fuel elements into the reactor core. The crew, protected by water shields, monitored reactivity levels and ensured the assembly remained sub-critical until the reactor went critical at 6:52 a.m., marking the completion of the assembly process.
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Summary
00:00
"Arctic base Camp Century: Nuclear power, challenges"
- A system of 23 trenches was dug into the ice cap, covered with steel arches and snow, housing research labs, living quarters, and support facilities.
- Due to impracticality of transporting diesel fuel, a nuclear power plant was installed at Camp Century, located 150 miles from Thule.
- Camp Century is situated under Greenland's ice cap, with ice descending 6,000 feet, symbolizing man's struggle to conquer harsh environments.
- In May 1959, after extensive preparation, a small party of army engineers led by Captain Tom Evans selected a site for Camp Century.
- Construction began with marking boundaries, transporting supplies over 150 miles of ice, including 6,000 tons of materials using convoys of sleds.
- Construction utilized snow milling machines like the Peter Pile to cut trenches, with steel arch roofs supported by planks and snow.
- Prefabricated buildings were erected within tunnels, ensuring level floors for foundations, with every part pre-erected and shipped as a unit.
- A complex of interconnecting corridors was built, with a unique water solution involving melting ice for fresh water and an extensive electrical system.
- Escape hatches were strategically placed, recreational activities like bronco busting were enjoyed, and maintenance shops were established for equipment upkeep.
- The final phase involved transporting a nuclear power plant to Camp Century, with meticulous handling of heavy components despite challenging Arctic conditions.
23:43
"Building and Activating Nuclear Power Plant"
- The nuclear power plant's construction involved assembling buildings around the nuclear sections, with Captain Jim Barnett overseeing the critical phase of activating the plant. Precautions were meticulously taken during the testing phase, including unwrapping, inspecting, and loading fuel elements into a storage tank, each containing approximately 500 grams of uranium 235.
- The crew, protected by water shields, transferred the steel and uranium bars underwater to the reactor core, monitoring reactivity levels and ensuring the assembly remained sub-critical. The gradual activation of the pile took almost nine hours, with control rods in place to prevent the reactor from going critical inadvertently.
- After the final fuel element was loaded, the reactor went critical at 6:52 a.m., marking the completion of the assembly process. Camp Century, powered by its nuclear reactor, stands as a modern community deep under the ice, equipped with sophisticated facilities like a dispensary, chapel, and extensive food supplies to sustain the residents in the harsh Arctic conditions.
