There are a variety of estimates as to the total spillage from the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

As of yesterday, they were all significantly losses worse than the 10.8 million gallons of crude the drunk captain of the Exxon Valdez spilled. The range is 23.2 million gallons by the US government, to the worst case scenario of BP itself at 92.5 million gallons.

And counting.

When this is done, it will dwarf the Valdez in total spillage, economic an d environmental damage.

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Tracking the Oil Spill in the Gulf

click for interactive timeline



Graphic via the NYT

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Source:

Size of Oil Spill Underestimated, Scientists Say

JUSTIN GILLIS

NYT, May 13, 2010

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/us/14oil.html

About the Oil Slick Areas Shown on the Map: The “probable extent” of the oil slick is an estimate by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of where oil is mostly likely to go based on wind and ocean current forecasts, as well as analysis of aerial photography and satellite imagery. The “observed extent” show areas where oil was visible on the surface of the water during aerial surveys of the Gulf. The observed extents are not available every day. The extents may vary widely from day to day because of changes in wind patterns and ocean currents.

The loop currents are from NOAA and from Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service.