On Earth Day, April 20, 2010, the British Petroleum oil rig Deepwater Horizon explodes, causing crude oil to flow unabated into the Gulf of Mexico for three months. Estimated to be more than 130 miles long and 70 miles wide, at 5 million barrels (205.8 million gallons) it is the largest accidental marine oil spill in history, reeking devastating consequences onto the fragile wetlands, bayous and coastal waters of the Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida coastlines. Crude oil continues to seep and threaten the survival of hundreds of species in the Gulf of Mexico, including the critical habitats for whales, sea turtles, migratory birds and other endangered species. (source)
