Dissecting a Disaster: The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

In April 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig set off a chain of events that resulted in millions of gallons of crude oil gushing into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico for nearly three months. This disaster would ultimately be the largest and most catastrophic oil spill in the history of the United States. Because of the enormity and complexity of the spill, many do not fully grasp the nature of what occurred and what is still ongoing. This research attempts to present a clear and detailed picture of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the multitude of events that followed. Provided is an indepth study of the explosion on the oil rig, the containment and cleanup efforts of the spill, an analysis of the ecological ramifications, and a breakdown of the continuing litigation and legal battles that have yet to be resolved.