Oil Spill Spreads Across Gulf of Mexico
A large oil spill hit the Gulf of Mexico in March. It spread more than 600 kilometers across the water.
Oil is seeping from 3 sources. Two are natural seeps.
One is a vessel that has not been identified. The spill reached 7 protected nature reserves in Mexico.
Wildlife were contaminated by the oil. Reefs were also damaged.
Klear Note — Oil spills harm ocean life and damage ecosystems for years. The Gulf of Mexico has many protected areas to keep wildlife safe.
Key Terms 3
- natural seeps places where oil leaks naturally from the ocean floor
- nature reserves protected areas where wildlife and plants are kept safe
- reefs underwater structures made of coral, home to sea life