♻️ap environmental science review

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

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.

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