8AExxonValdez+question+3

Exxon Valdez The impact the disaster had on the environment and people. The Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred in [|Prince William Sound], [|Alaska] , on March 24, 1989, when the [|Exxon Valdez] , an [|oil tanker] bound for [|Long Beach] , [|California] , hit [|Prince William Sound] 's [|Bligh Reef] and [|spilled] an estimated minimum 10.8 million US gallons (40.9 million litres) of [|crude oil]. The rupture of the tanks on the Exxon-Valdez caused huge oil slicks to get dumped in to the ocean. The oil clings to fish and birds, causing a massive die-off of marine life. The oil washed up on the beach and sticks to the rocks to this day. The oil covered 1,300 miles (2,100 km) of coastline and 11,000 square miles (28,000km2) of ocean. After the oil spill, thousands of animals died immediately; the best estimates include 100,000 to as many as 250,000 [|seabirds], at least 2,800 [|sea otters] , approximately 12 [|river otters] , 300 [|harbor seals] , 247 [|bald eagles] , and 22 [|orcas] , as well as the destruction of billions of [|salmon] and [|herring] eggs. Marine mammals and seabirds are at great risk from floating oil because they have routine contact with the sea surface. Oiling of fur or feathers causes loss of insulating capacity and can lead to death from hypothermia, smothering, drowning, and ingestion of toxic hydrocarbons. Fifteen years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, it is clear that some fish and wildlife species injured by the spill have not fully recovered. The effects of the spill continued to be felt for many years afterwards the environment and people.