TheAmericannuclear-poweredattacksubmarineUSSJimmyCarterisattackedbyamysteriousunderwaterobjectwhichstalksanddisablestheSeawolf-classsuper-subwithapowerfulelectromagneticpulse.TheunderwaterarcticresearchcomplexHubriswitnessestheattackandreportsarapidrise1nthetemperatureofthePolarisTrenchwhichthreatenstomelttheicecapandfloodtheworldslandsurface.AtanemergencyUnitedNationsscientificconference,HubrisdirectorDr.AnnFletcherisdismissedwhensheurgescautionandherarchrivalDr.Chomskypushesthroughafarmoreaggressiveplantodealwiththecrisis.WhenChomskysplanfailsandcontactwiththeHubriscomplexlost,Dr.Fletcherisaskedtoparticipateinafollow-upexpedition,whichalsoincludesChomsky,byherex-husband,NavyCaptainAndyRaines.OnceattheNorthPole,theexpeditionfindsthattheHubriscomplexiscompletelyintact,butitspersonnelhavebeenincinerated.Dr.FletchermakesastarlingdiscoverythatcouldchangethefateoftheworldwhileDr.Chomskyhasasecretthatcouldendit!