SCCOOS Web Site Training
Oil Spill Response Scenario
Oil Spill Response Scenario
Scenario: There was an oil spill on June 26, 2009 at 17:00:00 PDT outside
of Long Beach Harbor at 33.7022 N, 118.2417 W.
Use the surface current mapping Web page and Google Earth to answer the
following questions about this oil spill.
a. Will the oil reach shore? If yes, will it move up the coast or down the
coast? If no, and currents remain consistent at 12 hours past release
time, when will it reach the coast?
b. What will the extent of the spill be in 12 hours?
1. Go to the surface current mapping
Web page at
http://www.sccoos.org/data/hfrnet/
2. Go to View Full page.
3. Select 2 km (1.08 nm).
4. Set time for 2009-06-26 17:00:00
PDT.
5. Use the coordinate locator to find the
vector at 33.7022 N,
118.2417 W.
6. Determine the magnitude (in knots) and direction of the vector at this time.
7. Using this information, how far in nautical miles will the oil travel in one hour?
(1 kt = 1 nm/hr) Record this distance and the heading of the vector on the
Progressive Vector Diagram Worksheet in the appropriate location.
8. Move forward one hour using the “+1 Hour” option. Repeat steps 6 and 7
until you have recorded information for 12 hours after the release time or until
the cumulative distance is greater than 2 km (1.08 nm).
Note: Depending on the speed of the current, you may need to move to an
adjacent vector as time progresses. Each vector covers an area of 2 km
(1.08 nm). As you record the distance the oil travels, keep an eye on the
cumulative distance it has moved by using the cumulative distance column on
the worksheet. If the cumulative distance is greater than 2 km (1.08 nm), go
to step 9 and begin plotting the progressive vector diagram in Google Earth to
determine the coordinates for nearest vector. (See screen captures on next
page.) Return to steps 6 and 7 once you have the location for the new vector.
1
© 2009 Ocean Institute
SCCOOS Web Site Training
To find the coordinates of a
placemark, right click on the
place mark. Select “Properties”
from the menu.
Use coordinates from Google
Earth to locate the new vector
if the cumulative distance
exceeds 2 km (1.08 nm).
2
© 2009 Ocean Institute
Oil Spill Response Scenario
SCCOOS Web Site Training
Oil Spill Response Scenario
You will now use Google Earth to use the information on the Progressive
Vector Diagram Worksheet to see where the oil travels in 12 hours.
9. Open Google Earth.
10. Enter 33.7022 N, 118.2417 W in
the “Fly to” box. Click on the
“Begin Search” icon, which is
next to the box.
11. Click on the “Add Placemark”
icon.
12. Name the placemark T0. Click
on “OK” at the bottom of the
window.
3
© 2009 Ocean Institute
SCCOOS Web Site Training
13. Click on the “Show Ruler” icon.
14. Disable “mouse navigation” if it isn’t
already disabled.
15. Change units to nautical miles in
the drop down menu.
16. Draw a line from the point of the
placemark to the location where the
oil would travel in one hour based
on the distance (nm) and heading
you recorded in the first row of the
Progressive Vector Diagram
Worksheet. Try to get the length
and heading as close as possible to
the information from the vector. It
may not be possible to get the
numbers to match exactly.
17. Click on the “Add Placemark” icon.
18. Drag this placemark to the end of
the line you just drew. Name the
placemark T1. Click on “OK” at the
bottom of the window. This
placemark shows you where the
oil would be one hour after the
release time.
4
© 2009 Ocean Institute
Oil Spill Response Scenario
SCCOOS Web Site Training
Oil Spill Response Scenario
19. Click on the “clear” button in the ruler box.
20. Click the “hide ruler” button.
21. Click the “show ruler” button.
22. Change units to nautical miles in the drop down menu.
23. Draw a line from the point of T1 to the
location where the oil would travel in
one hour based on the distance (nm)
and heading you recorded in the
second row of the Progressive Vector
Diagram Worksheet. Try to get the
length and heading as close as
possible to the magnitude and
direction of the vector. It may not be
possible to get the numbers to match
exactly.
24. Click on the “Add Placemark” icon.
25. Drag this placemark to the end of the line you just drew. Name the placemark
T2. Click on “OK” at the bottom of the window. This placemark shows you
where the oil would be two hours after the release time.
26. Continue drawing lines and adding placemarks until you have marked the
location where the oil would be 12 hours after the release time.
27. Did the oil reach shore after 12 hours?
If yes, will it move up the coast or
down the coast? If no, and currents
remain consistent at 12 hours past
release time, when will it reach the
coast?
______________________________
______________________________
No. It will reach the coast in
approximately 32.7 hours after the
release time: June 28, 01:42 PDT
5
© 2009 Ocean Institute
SCCOOS Web Site Training
Oil Spill Response Scenario
28. What are the coordinates of where the oil will be 12 hours after the release
time?
Answer: 33º 42’ 12.12” N
118º 11’ 10.15” W
The coordinates could vary slightly based on the distance resolution
and angle accuracy in Google Earth. It is tricky to get the exact
heading. Make sure that the participants have a set of coordinates that
is reasonably accurate.
6
© 2009 Ocean Institute