Satellite Images, GeoSpatial Data, Earth Views

Satellite Images Gulf Oil Spill

Satellite Images Gulf Oil Spill

Satellite images support the Gulf of Mexico oil spill response and cleanup with spill mapping including documenting the condition of coastal wetlands before oil landfall. Satellite imagery will assist response teams in forecasting the trajectory of the oil and in documenting changes in the ecosystem.

Satellites can document the overall extent of the oil but cannot distinguish between the sheen and thick patches. While the sheen represents most of the area of the slick, the majority of the oil is concentrated in the thicker part. Satellite images should be able to identify the thicker parts, helping oil spill responders know where to deploy oil-skimming boats and absorbent booms.

GeoEye-1 Satellite Image Gulf Oil Spill

satellite image gulf oil spill 2010

Image copyright © MAXAR – All rights reserved.

This half-meter resolution satellite image (above) features a portion of the oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico. Streaks of oil blown by wind and currents can easily be seen against the darker-colored water. The image was taken by the GeoEye-1 satellite from 423 miles in space on April 29, 2010, as it moved from north to south over the United States at a speed of four miles per second.

QuickBird Satellite Image of Gulf Oil Spill

Satellite Image Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill

Image copyright © MAXAR – All rights reserved.

 

WorldView-2 Satellite Image of Gulf Oil Spill

satellite image gulf oil spill clean up

Image copyright © MAXAR – All rights reserved.

WorldView-2 Satellite Image of Gulf Oil Spill

satellite map gulf of Mexico oil spill

Image copyright © MAXAR – All rights reserved.

This is an enhanced satellite image of the oil spill and clean-up effort in the Gulf of Mexico. This image leverages the different sensor bands of the WorldView-2 satellite to highlight the oil and dispersant.

The oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig occurred after an explosion on April 20, 2010, and various methods of containing the oil spill have been developed, including controlled burns, domes over the oil spill, and the use of remotely operated vehicles to manipulate equipment on the seafloor.