SCCOOS Web Site Training Oil Spill Response

Scenario There was an oil spill on June 26, 2009 at 17:00:00 PDT outside of Long Beach Harbor at N, W.  Use the surface current mapping web page and Google Earth to answer the following questions about this oil spill

Will the oil reach the shore? Will the oil reach the 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? 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? What will be the extent of the spill in 12 hours? What will be the extent of the spill in 12 hours?

1. Go to the surface current mapping web page at Go to View Fully Page 3. Select 2 km (1.08 nm) 4. Set time for :00:00 PDT

5. Use the coordinate locator to find the vector at N, 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, go to step 9 and begin plotting the progressive vector diagram in Google Earth to determine the coordinates for the nearest vector. Return to steps 6 and 7 once you have the location for the new vector.

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 N, 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. Name the placemark T0. Click on “OK” at the bottom of the window.

13. Click on the “Show Ruler” Icon. 14. Disable “mouse navigation” if it is not 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) 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, although 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 after the release time.

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) you recorded in the second row of the

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 2 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?

ANSWER: No. It will reach the coast in approximately 32.7 hours after the release time: June 28, 01:42 PDT.

28. What are the coordinates of where the oil will be 12 hours after the release time?

ANSWER: 33°42’12.12” N 118°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.