Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill (Catastrophe)

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In summary, the conversation discussed the HBO movie "Dead Ahead" which explores the causes and consequences of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. The question was raised about ongoing recovery efforts in Alaska and whether there have been larger spills since then. The conversation also referenced articles and sources for further information on the topic. It was mentioned that there have been other larger oil spills, with one possibly being four times worse than the Exxon Valdez spill, but the media coverage plays a role in how memorable these events are.
  • #1
Soaring Crane
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In class today, we viewed an HBO movie called Dead Ahead that features the gruesome results plus causes of the oil spill in '89.

Are recovery efforts still being done on Alaska's beaches as a result of the leakage of +11 million gallons of oil?

Also, even though this spill is one of the most ecologically damaging, was there an even bigger spill in the U.S. in the Gulf of Mexico somewhere? What was the biggest tanker spill in the world?

Thanks for any interesting info on this disturbing oil spill.
 
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  • #2
Here is some information

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
The following article was published in the May-June 2000 issue of E-Magazine:
http://www.conservationinstitute.org/losteden.htm

Also
http://www.adn.com/evos/stories/EV378.html
http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu21le/uu21le0l.htm
 
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  • #3
Yes there have been many other larger oil spills. I believe tehre was one 4x as worse that that happened only months earlier... or maybe a few years earlier... funny stuff. Learn great things about the world's media this way! Its only 'a catastrophe that the world can never forget' when a news team decides to cover it :)
 

1. What caused the Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill?

The Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill was caused by human error when the oil tanker, Exxon Valdez, ran aground on a reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska on March 24, 1989. The ship's captain, Joseph Hazelwood, was intoxicated and had turned off the ship's radar, causing it to veer off course and hit the reef.

2. How much oil was spilled during the Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill?

The Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill resulted in the release of approximately 11 million gallons of crude oil into the pristine waters of Prince William Sound. This made it one of the largest oil spills in history at the time.

3. What were the environmental impacts of the Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill?

The Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill had devastating environmental impacts on the surrounding area. The oil killed thousands of birds, fish, and other marine life, and also contaminated over 1,300 miles of coastline. The long-term effects on the ecosystem are still being studied today.

4. How did the Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill affect the local economy and communities?

The Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill had a significant impact on the local economy and communities in Alaska. The oil spill severely affected the fishing and tourism industries, which are major sources of income for the region. It also had negative effects on the health and well-being of the local communities, both physically and psychologically.

5. What measures were taken to clean up the Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill?

In response to the Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill, a massive cleanup effort was launched. This included using booms to contain and skim the oil off the surface of the water, as well as using high-pressure hot water and detergents to clean up shorelines and rocks. However, only a small percentage of the spilled oil was actually recovered, and the cleanup efforts lasted for several years.

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