2021 Southern California Oil Spill
On October 2nd, 2021, a major oil spill was detected in Southern California, originating from an underwater pipe connected to the Elly platform (an oil processing platform) about 4.5 miles offshore near Long Beach, California. Within 24 hours, USC Sea Grant created an online interactive StoryMap to provide the most up-to-date information and resources to the public. As USC Sea Grant strives to provide accurate and emerging information to the residents of Southern California, this StoryMap resource continues to be updated as the oil spill event and clean-up progresses. Read below to learn about the four main sections included in the StoryMap:
- Response: The StoryMap provides an updated summary on response efforts including pertinent information from Unified Command, the amount of oil recovered, and information on beach and fishery closures, vessel contamination sites, and wildlife recovery. In addition to this summary, the response section also includes numerous ways the public can safely support recovery efforts.
- Impacts to Habitat and Wildlife: Oil spills can be devastating to important coastal habitats and wildlife. The StoryMap provides an interactive map to explore the beaches, sensitive ecological wetlands, and marine protected areas that are vulnerable and at risk.
- Oil Spills of the Past: California, unfortunately, has a history of oil spills. This section provides information on notable spills across the region.
- Resources: The final section provides ample resources on the event including from local partners, as well as educational resources and informational resources across Sea Grant.
In addition to this StoryMap, USC Sea Grant has aided in providing information on the oil spill through multiple media requests. This includes:
- An interview with USC Annenberg (interveiwees: Melodie Grubbs and Amalia Almada)
- An interview in this LA Times article on how shipping traffic and anchoring work. (Interviewee: James Fawcett)
- A live interview with i24 News, an international news channel headquartered in Tel Aviv. (interviewee: Phyllis Grifman)
- Information requests from NOAA
Click below to explore the 2021 Southern California Oil Spill StoryMap
USC Sea Grant continues to provide timely and accurate information updates for the ongoing clean-up and recovery efforts of this oil spill, and prioritizes the role as a public information source for all potential future environmental events that affect our coast, ocean, and local communities.
For questions please contact Amalia Almada, USC Sea Grant Science, Research & Policy Specialist, at amaliaal@usc.edu.