All posts tagged oil spills

The Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 is regarded as one of the worst environmental disasters caused by humans. Up until the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe, which occurred in 2010, the Exxon Valdez oil spill was the largest ever (in terms of the volume of oil released) in US waters. While there are no precise figures, it is believed that between one quarter to three quarters of a million barrels (41,000 to 119,000 cubic meters) of crude oil were released in the Exxon Valdez spill. Many organizations, like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, accept estimates on the lower end of the spectrum, whereas other groups, like Defenders of Wildlife, insist that the volume of oil released was at the opposite end of the spectrum. At the time of the oil spill, Exxon Valdez was carrying approximately 1.3 million barrels (210,000 cubic meters) of oil, according to official reports, so up to a little over half of the ship's vast supply of oil may have been released into the wild. Below you will find some key facts about the Exxon Valdez oil spill and its consequences. Read more [...]