Participation Post

At 10 p.m., April 20, 2010, an explosion rocked the oil exploration rig, Deepwater Horizon, setting it ablaze, injuring 17, killing 11, and ultimately sinking the rig; all events leading to the worst oil spill in U.S. history.  In the aftermath of the initial tragedy, BP, the federal government, and thousands of volunteers have put forth an awesome effort to contain, clean up and fix the spill. One of the most important tools used in this effort is Geographic Information Systems (GIS).


GIS is being used to map the daily spread of the oil slick, track where oil is coming ashore and determining if the oil is landing as sheets or tar balls. The U.S. Coast Guard and BP are tracking the spill and using models with data input from hundreds of workers with GPS units and NOAA weather and tide models. They are using these models not only get accurate current positioning of the spill, but to be able to predict how the spill is growing, and where it will strike next which provides residents warning about the presence of oil nearby. These predictions are helping clean-up workers to target their efforts and helping them determine where to lay new boom to help protect the coastline. Volunteer groups like the Mobile Bay Keepers are using the GIS data, maps of the spill and its progress, along with information from coastal and marine wildlife rescue groups to help locate and track the local fauna to find and help injured birds and animals affected by the dark, sticky crude. Local and national news stations are using the maps and aerial photography of the spill to inform residents of the area and people all over the country about the severity of the spill and all that it has effected.


While no one wants another oil spill to happen, the data gathered from this terrible event can be used to help understand and respond to future oil spills and events similar to this. The GIS information and lessons learned will help make response time more focused, faster, and better prepared to handle these unfortunate situations.