Here’s a quick check of how two of the biggest oil spills in U.S. history measure up as of June 14. The BP spill is still growing, and the area is affected by wind patterns and ocean currents.
Cause of spill
BP: Oil well explosion
Exxon: Tanker struck a reef
Date spill began
BP: April 20, 2010
Exxon: March 24, 1989
Leak location
BP: 5,000 feet below surface
Exxon: Mostly on the surface
Total estimated spill
BP: Up to 89.4 million gallons of oil as of June 14, 2010 and growing
Exxon: 10.9 millions of gallons of oil
Total area of spill
BP: At least 2,500 square miles
Exxon: 1,300 square miles
Cost of cleanup
BP: Estimated at $15 billion to $23 billion, plus $14 billion of claims
Exxon: $2.1 billion, according to Exxon
Wildlife species affected
BP: Brown pelican, reddish egret, royal tern, snowy plover, sperm whale, bluefin tuna, sea turtle
Exxon: Salmon, sea otters, seals and sea birds
Sources: New York Times, National Wildlife Federation, Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Council, State of Alaska
