Oil spills affect everyone's way of life.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the worst oil spills on record are based on gallons of oil spilled. Although scientists from these organizations struggled on the precise figures, they came up with the list of the top five worst spills. As of August 4, 2010, they were the Gulf War Oil Spill, Ixtoc 1, the Atlantic Empress and Aegean Captain, Fergana Valley and Norwruz Oil Field. The precise amount of the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico during the spring and summer of 2010 remains undetermined. The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released a report in August of 2010 estimating that nearly 207 million gallons of oil had leaked from the well; if that figure is correct, it would be the second worst oil spill in history.
Gulf War Oil Spill
Oil spills impact marine life and water supply.
On January 19, 1991, the Gulf War Oil Spill became the worst oil spill on record, which still stands to this day. Ironically, this spill was not even an accident. Iraqi forces deliberately released the oil, totaling 240 million gallons, into the Persian Gulf to attempt to thwart a potential landing by the U.S. Marines. As a result, it ravaged the marine ecosystem in the area killing and endangering thousands of wildlife.
Ixtoc 1 Oil Spill
Oil wells are scattered throughout waterways and oceans worldwide.
The Ixtoc 1 Oil Spill occurred on June 3, 1979. A two-mile deep exploratory well blew out in the Bay of Campeche off Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico. Not brought under control until March 23, 1980, when the spill was finally capped, the well leaked oil at a rate of 10,000 to 30,000 barrels a day, totaling 140 million gallons and making this spill the second worst on record.
The Atlantic Empress and the Aegean Captain Supertankers
Oil supertankers transport needed fuel but also pose a great danger out in the water.
On July 19, 1978, off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago, two large supertankers collided, creating the third worst oil spill on record. A Greek oil tanker named the Atlantic Empress was caught in a tropical storm when it hit the Aegean Captain, killing 26 crew members, sinking the tankers and dumping 90 million gallons of oil into the sea.
Fergana Valley Oil Spill
Oil wells are not only on water but also on land.
The fourth worst oil spill recorded is Fergana Valley. In March of 1992, a well in Fergana Valley, located in a densely populated agricultural zone of Uzbekistan, started leaking oil. Not only did it leak 88 million gallons of oil, but, being that it was a well, it occurred inland, making it the largest spill that did not occur on a body of water.
Norwruz Oil Field Spill
Oil platforms also pose risks of massive spills.
On February 10, 1983, off the Persian Gulf and at the peak of the Iran-Iraq War, an oil tanker collided with the Nowruz platform. Although the platform was closed, it weakened and collapsed, sending oil into the Persian Gulf. Eleven people died and, due to the war, it took more than six months to cap the leak. By September 18, 1983, 80 million gallons had leaked into the Gulf, making it the fifth worst on record before Deepwater Horizon.
Tags: million gallons, Fergana Valley, worst spill, Aegean Captain, Atlantic Empress, Gulf Spill, Persian Gulf
