What Happens When an Oil Spill Occurs?

Modeling Oil Spills

Predicting the direction in which oil will spread from a spill is an important part of the response strategy. Trajectory models help to guide the recovery efforts by showing which locations are most likely to need resources such as lengths of boom to protect the shoreline.

This model shows a prediction of how oil spilled from the Exxon Valdez might spread during the first week after the spill.

  !   Click the image to see the animation. Drag the slider back and forth to visualize how the oil might spread.