Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (1989)

The Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred on March 24, 1989, when the oil tanker Exxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska, and released about 10.8 million US gallons of crude oil. It was the second-largest U.S. oil spill by volume after Deepwater Horizon (2010) and led to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 [1].

The Grounding

The tanker struck Bligh Reef at 12:04 a.m., about 6 miles west of Tatitlek, operated by the Exxon Shipping Company. About 10.8 million US gallons (260,000 barrels) of crude oil spilled, affecting about 1,300 miles of shoreline, of which roughly 200 miles were heavily or moderately oiled [1].

Wildlife Impact

Immediate deaths included an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 seabirds, at least 2,800 sea otters, about 300 harbor seals, 247 bald eagles and 22 orcas, plus an unknown number of salmon and herring. Harlequin ducks, sea otters and orcas suffered lasting losses, and oiled mussel beds may take up to 30 years to recover [1].

Cleanup

Only about 10% of the oil was fully cleaned up. Booms and skimmers were slow to deploy, and thick oil and kelp clogged equipment. High-pressure hot water used on rocky shores also killed microbes important to the food chain and to natural oil breakdown. More than 11,000 Alaska residents, along with some Exxon employees, took part in the response [1].

Policy Response

Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which barred vessels that had caused large spills from operating in Prince William Sound and set a phase-in schedule for double-hulled tankers. Alaska required tugboats to escort loaded tankers out of Valdez [1].

Recovery

At the spill’s 25th anniversary in 2014, NOAA reported that some species had recovered and sea otters had returned to pre-spill numbers, but one of two local orca pods remained at risk. Federal scientists estimated that 16,000 to 21,000 US gallons still remained on beaches [1].

Related Entries

See the entries on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, Valdez, Prince William Sound and the Wildlife of Alaska.

FAQs

When did the Exxon Valdez spill happen? March 24, 1989.

How much oil spilled? About 10.8 million US gallons.

Where did it happen? Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska.

What law followed the spill? The Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

Has the area recovered? Some species have, but oil remains and some populations were still at risk as of 2014.

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Exxon Valdez oil spill

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue