View Large SizeKaren Schleeweis and Susan Minnemeyer, World Resources Institute
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Overview
The 2010 hurricane season began on June 1, amid widespread concern over the potential for a large storm to exacerbate the damage from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. As the map above shows, catastrophic hurricanes (Category 3 or higher) regularly hit the southern coast of the United States. NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) predicts an 85 percent chance of an “above normal” hurricane season this year, due to conditions including exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean tropical zone. According to NOAA, a hurricane could spread the oil over a far wider area or potentially carry oil inland via storm surges. Because hurricanes rotate counter-clockwise, a storm passing to the west of the oil spill could bring oil closer to shore, while a storm passing to the east could push the oil further out to sea.
Data Sources
- Hurricane tracks and data: NOAA National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center
- Background imagery and map: Microsoft Bing Maps
Copyright
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License . Cite “World Resources Institute.”
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This map is part of a continuing project to produce maps that shed light on significant environmental issues throughout the world.
1 Comment
I am a Mexican citizen very
I am a Mexican citizen very concerned by the impact BP tragedy will have on Mexican Gulf coasts. Although some measures by Mexican gvt. are being taken, I doubt it is enough and was wondering whether WRI has any studies or samples or forecasts of impact in Mexico. I am worried about marine life, the ocean and huge communities of fishermen, tourism industry, and residents of the area and as a Consumers Protection NGO, which I lead, would like to work together with WRI in putting together a strategy to prevent damages. collect evidence by sampling and eventually defend our rights before BP.
Any guidance or collaboration will be highly appreciated.
Adriana Labardini