The BP Oil Spill
BY: Monica Martin
The events that happened...
On April 20, 2010 one of BP's oil containers had exploded and began to leak oil into the Gulf of Mexico and near the Mississippi River Delta. After the explosion the leak continued for 87 days until it was finally capped on July 15, 2010.They estimated that within the 87 days of the leak that approximately 210 million gallons of oil had gone into the Gulf of Mexico. As the investigation was coming to a close BP was charged with 11 accounts of manslaughter, two misdemeanors, and a felony count for lying to Congress. BP also promised to clean up the whole mess until it was all gone. To this day oil is still found in some parts of the ocean.
Facts about the event.
- The BP oil spill is known to be the biggest oil spill in History.
- Texas, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana were all effected by the spill.
- The oil spill caused 11 deaths and 17 injuries.
- 125 miles out of the 400 miles of water that Louisiana has, had been coated in oil.
- BP was charged with $40 billion and another $16 billion for breaking the Clean Water Act.
The Long Lasting Effects
Since this occurrence many animals and humans are being effected. Many animals were covered in oil and died and many people couldn't go into the water. Today BP has cleaned up most of the mess and are trying to insure the safety of all the animals that were effected. Even though they are cleaning up and trying to make things right again the long lasting effects of the animals and beaches will stay with us for many years.