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What if the vast, virtually uninhabited continent wasn’t just snow and ice?

An incredible clip proves parts of the so-called coldest region on Earth are WARM.

The Bunger Hills range in Antarctica is a little-known oasis in an unforgiving, sub-zero landscape.

Named after Commander David E Bunger, the man who led a team of US Navy explorers to the breathtaking discovery in 1949, the region boasts “melt ponds” and unfrozen lakes.

(Image: GETTY/TCM FILMS)

And the reasoning behind the phenomenon still stumps scientists today.

Bunger’s discovery was part of Operation Highjump – a navy task force established to train personnel in adverse conditions, finding possible base sites, and carry out climate research.

The now little-known film The Secret Land – released in 1948 – documented the exploration and captured the dramatic moment Bunger and his team found Antarctica’s most unlikely secret.

(Image: TCM FILMS)

The crew were onboard a small aircraft when Bunger Hills suddenly appeared.

Narrator Commander Robert Montgomery excitedly describes the moment, telling the viewer: “Rugged mountain ranges as far as the eye can see.

“Bunger leans forward in amazement. His eyes have caught a sudden and unbelievable change in scenery.

“The universe so white has turned a chocolate brown, dotted with blue.

“A cameraman goes into action. Three hundreds square miles of land without snow. Land that might be in New Mexico or Arizona.

(Image: TCM FILMS)

“These pictures alone will prove Bunger has discovered a warm oasis in the shadow of the pole.

“It is for such supreme moments as this that men brave the hardships of exploration. The astounding un-dreamed of fact is they are over a chain of warm water lakes whose shores – except for patches – are free of ice and snow.”

Coal and “minerals of the utmost importance to civilisation” were discovered in the area, according to the film, while the water temperature of a five-mile long fresh water lake was recorded at 38F (3C).

The groundbreaking documentary was so impressive seven decades ago that it received the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

(Image: TCM FILMS)

(Image: GETTY)

Conspiracy theorists have long claimed Antarctica is hiding secrets hidden by the powers that be.

A theory emerged last year suggesting a massive civilisation exists beneath a mile of ice.

One vlogger was stunned after spotting what appeared to be a giant staircase-like structure on the continent.

Another conspiracy theory surrounds belief a Nazi UFO base is hidden beneath a huge ice shelf in Antarctica.