The BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Update

PHOTO: U.S. Coast Guard

The latest facts, stats, pictures and maps for the BP oil spill, its size, its impacts on wildlife, and the efforts at containment and cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico.

The explosion of the Transocean Deepwater Horizon rig on April 20 killed 11 people and led to the BP oil spill – the largest in U.S. history and second-largest in world history – that threatens coastal Louisiana, Gulf Coast fisheries and Gulf of Mexico ecosystems.

Here, you'll find updates and analysis about the impacts to animals, fish, birds and seafood in the Gulf of Mexico, about the efforts at containment and cleanup, facts about the oil leak's size, as well as pictures, video, maps and more.

You'll also find information about how to help, and about individuals who have dedicated their lives to protecting the oceans from just such a disaster.

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BP Gulf Oil Spill Stats and Facts
The BP spill by the numbers. [Infographic]

Gulf Oil Spill Pictures, Video and Graphics
7 shocking ways to visualize the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Photos: The Latest Scenes of the Spill
A visual timeline of the disaster unfolding in the gulf.

BP Gulf Oil Spill Maps
Maps showing the size of the spill, threatened habitats, forecasts and more.

Gulf Oil Spill: How to Help
6 ways to help, from volunteering and donating to getting political.

Does Cleaning Oiled Birds Help?
Serious questions about how best to respond to the disaster.

Sea Turtles at Risk from the Spill
Five of the world's seven sea turtle species frequent the Gulf.

Birds Threatened by the Oil Spill
16 birds whose habitat or food is at risk from BP's oil leak.

15 BP Oil Spill Myths
Debunking common misconceptions about the Gulf oil spill.

Beyond Petroleum ... In China
BP is moving solar jobs out of the U.S.

Endangered Sea Creatures
The 13 most endangered sea creatures.

The Health Impact of Oil Spills
Lessons from 5 recent oil spills, including the Exxon Valdez.

Branding of the "Gulf Oil Spill"
How a manmade disaster gets its name.

BP Named Greenest Oil Company? FAIL
It's true. Not long ago, BP claimed green cred.

10 of the Funniest Reactions to the BP Oil Spill
We're laughing at these photos and videos to keep from crying.

4 Dirty Secrets of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
Two decades later, oil remains on shore and Exxon evades punishment.

BP Gulf Oil Spill Size
The BP oil spill is the largest in U.S. history.

BP Oil Spill Cost: $1 Billion (5% of Annual Profit)
Comparing BP profits to the cost of the Gulf oil spill cleanup.

Surprising Products Made With Oil
Beyond plastics, oil appears in thousands of products we use every day.

8 Alternative Fuels that Could Replace Oil
Beyond Petroleum: From chocolate to sawdust.

4 Technologies That Could Power the U.S.
Coal and oil are the past. Alternative energy is the future.

Worse Than Oil? 5 Bad Energy Bets
Just because it's an alternative fuel doesn't mean it's green.

10 Simple Ways to Save Gas
Drive your car but don't burn so much oil.

Containment of the Oil Spill
Is "burn, baby, burn" the answer? The top hat? The long straw?

How Would You Spend BP's Penalty?
4 ways BP's civil liability can get us off oil.

Past BP Refinery Explosions and Pipeline Spills
The Gulf oil spill isn't BP's first black eye.

BP's Safety Record
At refineries, BP owns 97& of recent egregious violations.

Oil's Final Insult to Eisenhower's Bargain
How Congress failed the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

BP Oil Spill: Hurricane Risk
The 2010 Atlantic hurricane forecast. It's not good.

Satellite Pictures of the Gulf Oil Spill
NASA has captured shocking photos of the spill from space.

Ocean Heroes
19 people fighting to protect the oceans.

Ted Danson, Ocean Hero
An exclusive interview with actor Ted Danson.

What You Can Do to Help the Oceans
9 ocean conservation facts from Oceana.