Re: [Paddlewise] A little context for the BP oil spill: It isn't the Apocalypse

From: Rich Kulawiec <rsk_at_rockandwater.net>
Date: Thu, 6 May 2010 08:19:51 -0400
On Wed, May 05, 2010 at 10:31:42AM -0700, Jackie Myers wrote:
> For some perspective....
> 
> "The Gulf of Mexico spill is a calamity with enormous costs.  [...]

Correction: this is not a spill.

A spill is what happens when a container of fixed size is breached
and empties part or all of its contents, as in: Exxon Valdez.

This is a flow.  That is a significantly different entity, and that
difference needs to factored into all discussions about it.  I find
it instructive to carefully parse the language used by BP's professional
spokeliars in this regard.


And speaking of the Valdez, this event has already surpassed it;
please see the entry for May 1st here:

	http://blog.skytruth.org/

See also this excellent (animated) graphic, showing the changing shape
and extent of the affected area:

	http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2010/05/gulf_of_mexico_oil_spill_anima.html


---Rsk
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Received on Thu May 06 2010 - 05:20:06 PDT

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