Expired News - A look back: Photos from the 2010 BP oil spill - The Weather Network
Your weather when it really mattersTM

Country

Please choose your default site

Americas

Asia - Pacific

Europe

News
On April 20, 2010, the BP oil spill - also referred to as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill - erupted. Five years later, the 87-day disaster is still considered one of the largest oil spills in U.S. history.

A look back: Photos from the 2010 BP oil spill


Cheryl Santa Maria
Digital Reporter

Monday, April 20, 2015, 5:11 PM - On April 20, 2010, the BP oil spill - also referred to as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill - erupted.

Five years later, the 87-day disaster is still considered one of the largest oil spills in U.S. history.

An explosion and the subsequent sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig created a rupture that spewed oil for 87 days.

Eleven people died and more than 4 million barrels of oil were spilled into the Gulf of Mexico between April 20 and July 15, 2010, causing extensive damage to bird sanctuaries, marine and wildlife habitats.

Massive losses were reported in the fishing and tourism industries as well.

In November 2012, BP plead guilty to 11 counts of manslaughter, two misdemeanors and lying to U.S. Congress.

The company agreed to pay a previously unprecedented $4.53 billion in fines, in addition to tens of billions in civil settlements.

Parts of the seafloor were severely damaged from the spill, with some experts saying it could take "decades" for the ecosystem to fully recover.

PHOTOS: REMEMBERING THE 2010 BP OIL SPILL

Oiled Pelicans


Default saved
Close

Search Location

Close

Sign In

Please sign in to use this feature.