What happened to the Exxon Valdez?

At four minutes past midnight on 24 March, a cold-water reef ripped the thin skin of the Exxon Valdez’s single hull, releasing the equivalent of about 17 Olympic swimming pools of oil into Prince William Sound, Alaska.

Why did the Exxon Valdez crash?

Various reports following the accident have identified a number of factors that made Exxon Valdez ran aground on the reef under the command of Captain Joseph Hazelwood. According to reports, before handing over the ship’s control to the Third Mate, Hazelwood had apparently altered the vessel’s course to avoid icebergs.

How did the Exxon Valdez oil spill affect humans?

It contaminated 1,300 miles of coastline with 250,000 barrels or 11 million gallons of oil . Direct contact with the oil slick killed at least 140 bald eagles, 302 harbor seals, 2,800 sea otters, and 250,00 seabirds within a few days. Four people died as part of the clean-up efforts.

Who crashed the Exxon Valdez?

It was later revealed that Joseph Hazelwood , the captain of the Valdez, was drinking at the time of the accident and allowed an uncertified officer to steer the massive vessel. In March 1990, Hazelwood was convicted of misdemeanor negligence, fined $50,000, and ordered to perform 1,000 hours of community service.

What is the biggest oil spill in the world?

the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

How much money did it cost to clean up the Exxon Valdez oil spill?

Exxon Valdez oil spill costs exceeded $7 billion Cleanup alone cost in the region of US $2.5 billion and total costs (including fines, penalties and claims settlements) have, at times been estimated at as much as US $7 billion.”

What were the long term effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill?

A new study released today into the effects of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska shows that embryonic salmon and herring exposed to very low levels of crude oil can develop hidden heart defects that compromise their later survival, indicating that the spill may have had much greater impacts on spawning fish

Why is Exxon Valdez significant?

The Exxon Valdez is significant because it was an oil tanker that caused one of the worst oil spills in U.S. history, leading to the building of double-hulled ships.

Is there still oil from the Exxon Valdez?

A small portion of the oil from the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill still lingers in patches beneath Prince William Sound, Alaska, beaches. However, this and other studies suggests the remaining oil is sequestered, or buried, and currently is not posing a risk to the coastal and marine ecosystem.

How many animals died in the Exxon Valdez oil spill?

250,000 seabirds, 2,800 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, 250 bald eagles, 22 killer whales, and billions of salmon and herring eggs……the ‘best’ estimate of how many animals died outright from the spill.

How much oil spilled in Exxon Valdez?

On March 24, 1989, shortly after midnight, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska, spilling more than 11 million gallons of crude oil .

Has Prince William Sound recovered?

On the surface, Prince William Sound appears to have recovered . But you don’t have to dig too deep—into the soil or into memories—to find the spill’s lingering effects.

What was wrong with the captain of the Exxon Valdez that partially lead to the accident?

In 1987, he became the alternate master of Exxon Valdez which subsequently received Exxon Fleet safety awards for the year of 1987 and 1988. Hazelwood says that he was diagnosed with a form of “depression, characterized by episodic abuse of alcohol”.

Where did the Exxon Valdez ran aground in 1989?

On March 24, 1989 the Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef, spilling 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound. On March 24, 1989 the Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef, spilling 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound.