Paint It Black: Giant Oil Spill Threatens Gulf Coast

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April 22, 2010: The Deepwater Horizon oil rig stationed in the Gulf of Mexico, 40 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River, sinks after exploding and catching fire two days earlier. London-based BP PLC owns the rig, which is now leaking an estimated 5,000 barrels of oil per day. The resulting oil slick threatens to upset habitats in a number of states on the U.S. Gulf Coast, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

Here, rescue ships attempt to put out the fire that resulted from the explosion.

Newscom/Zuma

NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this image of the Gulf of Mexico, showing the Mississippi Delta in the center, extending out into the Gulf, with the silvery oil slick to the right.

Newscom/Zuma

Eleven workers are missing and presumed dead following the explosion.

Newscom/Zuma

The oil slick from above.

Newscom/UPI

A response boat works to clean up oil where the Deepwater Horizon oil rig sank.

Newscom/Zuma

A pollution containment chamber at Wild Well Control, Inc. in Port Fourchon, LA. The chamber will be used to help contain the oil.

Newscom/Zuma

Newscom/Zuma

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