Gulf of Mexico

Hurricane Michael 2018

Warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico raise alarm as US storm season approaches

On Easter Sunday, dozens of tornadoes tore across Southeastern US, killing more than 30 people. The deadly cluster of storms coincided with waters in the Gulf of Mexico that were three degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the long-term average.

Warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico raise alarm as US storm season approaches
Two people are shown next to a water-filled ditch with a grassy field on either side.

We’re not fixing this environmental crisis. Could one ditch show us the way?

We’re not fixing this environmental crisis. Could one ditch show us the way?
The silhouette of roseau cane during a sunset on the Louisiana coast.

In a hungry little insect, a big threat to Louisiana’s coast

In a hungry little insect, a big threat to Louisiana’s coast
Couple in a boat in flood waters

Scientists pinpoint link between climate change and Hurricane Harvey's record rainfall

Scientists pinpoint link between climate change and Hurricane Harvey's record rainfall
Ixtoc blowout

Forgotten satellite data is helping researchers reconstruct the effects of a 1979 oil spill

Forgotten satellite data is helping researchers reconstruct the effects of a 1979 oil spill
Oil slick Gulf of Mexico

Studying a 1979 oil spill may help scientists predict long-term effects of Deepwater Horizon

Ocean floor expeditions near the site of the 1979 Ixtoc oil blowout seek to find out how the ocean is recovering three decades after the disaster. Scientists hope their work will shed light on the future of the waters near the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Studying a 1979 oil spill may help scientists predict long-term effects of Deepwater Horizon
Oil lease arrests

Gulf of Mexico oil leases spark protests, but little revenue

Citizen activists tried to stop the government’s recent auction of 4,400 oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico. They failed, but the auction brought in less revenue than expected.

Gulf of Mexico oil leases spark protests, but little revenue
Gulf lease protest

Louisianans rally against new Gulf oil leases

In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon accident, Louisiana residents are being far more cautious about oil and gas drilling in their state.

Louisianans rally against new Gulf oil leases
Deepwater Horizon on fire

BP's $18.7 billion Deepwater Horizon settlement provides relief, but perhaps not justice

Five years ago, the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster caused billions of dollars in economic and environmental damages to the Gulf region. Civil and criminal lawsuits have kept BP in court for years. Now an agreement might bring relief for those government agencies seeking fines and compensation. But is it enough?

BP's $18.7 billion Deepwater Horizon settlement provides relief, but perhaps not justice
A work boat passes an oiled marshland one year after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in Bay Jimmy near Myrtle Grove, Louisiana.

Five years later, the Gulf of Mexico is still recovering from Deepwater Horizon

Things are getting better as oil and toxins from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill dissipate in the Gulf of Mexico — but slowly. Scientists researching the area say no one can be sure when the "pervasive" chemicals will finally disappear.

Five years later, the Gulf of Mexico is still recovering from Deepwater Horizon
Louisiana’s Master Plan for the Coast includes projects like marsh creation, sediment diversion, structural and shoreline protection, hydrologic restoration and oyster reef restoration. If implemented on time, it could restore and save some crucial wetlan

Louisiana's much-needed plan to save its wetlands is short almost $50 billion

Louisiana’s rapidly sinking deltas threaten crucial oil, gas and fishing industries. Louisiana has an ambitious, expensive and first-of-its-kind plan to rebuild the region — but right now no one is willing to pay for it. What would be the cost of failure?

Louisiana's much-needed plan to save its wetlands is short almost $50 billion
The Houston Ship Channel stretches 52 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the city of Houston. Sea levels have risen 2.2 feet over the last century at Galveston, the main barrier island protecting the Ship Channel from a big storm.

The 'Texas miracle' is fueling huge economic growth — and the climate change that may end it

Texas is the biggest climate polluter in the U.S. It’s also is also extremely vulnerable to some of the impacts of climate change. But the state’s most prominent politicians say they don't believe that climate change is real. It all adds up to a big problem for Texas and the rest of us.

The 'Texas miracle' is fueling huge economic growth — and the climate change that may end it
Louisiana coastline

Louisiana's coastline is disappearing at the rate of a football field an hour

Hurricane Katrina was bad, but the future could be considerably worse, a new report says. "One of the greatest environmental and economic disasters in the nation's history is rushing toward a catastrophic conclusion, so far unabated and largely unnoticed."

Louisiana's coastline is disappearing at the rate of a football field an hour
A US Coast Guard image of the oil tanker United Kalavyrta, which is carrying a cargo of Kurdish crude oil, approaching Galveston, Texas on July 25.

A mystery oil tanker is anchored in limbo outside of Houston

An oil tanker sitting 60 miles off the coast of Texas holds $100 million worth of crude oil. But for now, no one knows who's allowed to sell it, who the buyer is or even where the oil will eventually go.

A mystery oil tanker is anchored in limbo outside of Houston
Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Oil-chewing bacteria may be the future for quickly cleaning toxic oil spills

Oil spills are ecological disasters. Whether it’s the oil itself or the dispersants used to break up the slick, spills wreak environmental havoc on marine life, shore life and human life. But hydrocarbon-chewing microbes could reduce the havoc and the danger.

Oil-chewing bacteria may be the future for quickly cleaning toxic oil spills