United States
On March 24, 1989, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The collision ruptured its hull and spilled more than 10 million gallons of crude oil into the sea. The spill contaminated hundreds of miles of coastline. Wildlife, including birds, fish, and marine mammals, suffered massive losses. Cleanup efforts were difficult and took years, and some effects lasted even longer. The disaster spurred new regulations on tanker operations and oil spill preparedness in the United States.
