key term - Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

Definition

The Exxon Valdez oil spill refers to a catastrophic incident that occurred in 1989 when an oil tanker named Exxon Valdez ran aground in Alaska, resulting in the release of approximately 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound.

Related terms

Oil Pollution: The contamination of water bodies by petroleum products, which can have detrimental effects on aquatic life and ecosystems.

Environmental Remediation: The process of cleaning up and restoring areas affected by pollution or other environmental damage.

Ecological Succession: The gradual change in species composition and ecosystem structure over time following a disturbance like an oil spill.