Deepwater Horizon oil spill Trivia Questions

Oil flowed from April 20 to July 15, 2010, when a temporary cap finally stopped the leak—87 days total.

11 workers died in the initial explosion on the rig, and many others suffered long-term health effects from exposure.

The official estimate is about 210 million gallons (4.9 million barrels), making it the largest accidental marine oil spill in history.

Corexit dispersants, applied in unprecedented volumes, were toxic to marine organisms and caused long-term ecological damage.

A cascade of failures—including cement flaws, misinterpreted pressure tests, and a disabled BOP—caused the blowout, not just one valve.

The ‘top hat’ containment dome clogged with methane hydrates (ice-like crystals) on May 7-8, 2010, forcing BP to abandon that plan.

In May 2010, the U.S. imposed a six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling, which was later lifted after legal challenges.

While bacteria did degrade some oil, a large portion formed underwater plumes and tar mats that persisted for years.