Twice as much oil as originally estimated could have been spewing from the leaking well, new figures given by scientists show.

Anywhere from 42 million gallons to more than 100 million gallons have already flowed into the Gulf of Mexico, the Associated Press reports. It is the third time the U.S. government has increased its numbers.

The estimate was for the oil flow before June 3 when a riser pipe was cut and then a cap placed on it, the story says. No numbers were given for the amount of oil leaking from the well after the cut or since a cap was put on the pipe.

The government panel's new calculation shows an amount of oil equivalent to the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill could be flowing every 8 to 10 days, the New York Times reports.

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MAP: Oil spill growing in the Gulf of Mexico

The new figures were based on a more detailed analysis of information including video of the gushing oil. It was also based on the first direct measurement of the flow, using sonar equipment, Marcia McNutt, director of the United States Geological Survey, told the Times.

(Posted by Jessica Durando)