Oil spill in California
Poisoned beaches and dead animals: Thousands of liters of crude oil have leaked from a pipeline in California into the Pacific Ocean. The oil slick continues to spread, reaching pristine beaches and marine reserves.
Joint effort along the beach
Thousands of gallons of crude oil leaked into the ocean just outside Santa Barbara in the US state of California on Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Rescue teams trying to clear up the muddy residue were being assisted by volunteers along the Pacific coastline.
Oil slick continues for miles
The oil spill on the California coastline turned out to be more damaging than initially expected; early forecasts estimated an oil slick of 4 miles (6.5 kilometers) along the Pacific shoreline, but the US Coast Guard updated its own calculations to more than 9 miles (15 kilometers).
Faulty pipeline to blame
A malfunctioning underground pipeline was determined to be the root cause of the environmental emergency. The 23-inch (60 centimeter) system of ducts broke down, creating the leak. Crude oil began to spill into a canal at first, eventually reaching the open ocean. Only after several hours did the emergency crews manage to close off the leak, bringing the situation under control at last.
Muddy waters and ocean blues
More than 100,000 gallons (380,000 liters) of crude oil were estimated to have leaked. Experts predict that roughly 20,000 gallons (76,000 liters) managed to reach the sea. It is uncertain why the 11-mile-long pipeline (18 kilometers), which had been built in 1991, ruptured on Tuesday.
Lasting consequences
This was the biggest oil spill to hit Santa Barbara County and its surroundings since 1969. Environmentalists remain apprehensive about possible dramatic consequences. The operators of the pipeline, Plains All-American Pipeline, said that it accepted full responsibility for the accident and would cover all clean up costs associated with the spill.
Race against time
Many locals joined the desperate efforts to clean up the oil slick along the beaches, using household buckets and shovels, and even their bare hands. No one knew how long it might take until California's coastline would be free of contamination, but volunteers thought it might be months until they could enjoy the affected beaches again.
Environmental impact
Environmental activists consider the oil spill outside Santa Barbara a serious threat to sea birds and marine life. They are particularly worried about ocean mammals, including gray whales and blue whales, but also the endangered humpback whales. Many animals, such as the bird pictured above, are expected to be severely affected.
Buckets and buckets of black tide
Rescue teams collected bucket loads of crude oil along Santa Barbara's sunny beaches. But instead of inhaling the invigorating sea breeze they were exposed to the stench of oily tar and death.