SCCOOS Web Site SCCOOS Web Site TrainingTraining

Oil Spill ResponseOil Spill Response

ScenarioScenario

There was an oil spill on June 26, 2009 at There was an oil spill on June 26, 2009 at 17:00:00 PDT outside of Long Beach 17:00:00 PDT outside of Long Beach Harbor at 33.7022 N, 118.2417 W.Harbor at 33.7022 N, 118.2417 W.

Use the surface current mapping web Use the surface current mapping web page and Google Earth to answer the page and Google Earth to answer the following questions about this oil spillfollowing 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 If yes, will it move up the coast or down

the coast? If no, and currents remain the coast? If no, and currents remain consistent at 12 hours past release time, consistent at 12 hours past release time, when will it reach the coast?when will it reach the coast?

What will be the extent of the spill in 12 What will be the extent of the spill in 12 hours?hours?

1.1. Go to the surface current mapping web Go to the surface current mapping web page at page at http://www.sccoos.org/data/hfrnet/http://www.sccoos.org/data/hfrnet/

2.2. Go to View Fully PageGo to View Fully Page

3.3. Select 2 km (1.08 nm)Select 2 km (1.08 nm)

4.4. Set time for Set time for

2009-06-262009-06-26

17:00:00 PDT17:00:00 PDT

5. Use the coordinate locator to find the 5. Use the coordinate locator to find the vector at 33.7022 N, 118.2417 Wvector at 33.7022 N, 118.2417 W

6. Determine the magnitude (in knots) and 6. Determine the magnitude (in knots) and direction of the vector at this timedirection of the vector at this time

7. Using this information, how far in nautical 7. Using this information, how far in nautical miles will the oil travel in one hour? (1 kt=1 miles will the oil travel in one hour? (1 kt=1 nm/hr) Record this distance and the nm/hr) Record this distance and the heading of the vector on the Progressive heading of the vector on the Progressive Vector Diagram Worksheet in the Vector Diagram Worksheet in the appropriate locationappropriate location

8. Move forward one hour using the “+1 Hour” 8. Move forward one hour using the “+1 Hour” option. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until you have option. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until you have recorded information for 12 hours after the recorded information for 12 hours after the release time or until the cumulative distance is release time or until the cumulative distance is greater than 2 km (1.08 nm) greater than 2 km (1.08 nm)

NoteNote: Depending on the speed of the current, you : Depending on the speed of the current, you may need to move to an adjacent vector as time may need to move to an adjacent vector as time progresses. Each vector covers an area of 2 km progresses. Each vector covers an area of 2 km (1.08 nm). As you record the distance the oil (1.08 nm). As you record the distance the oil travels, keep an eye on the cumulative distance travels, keep an eye on the cumulative distance it has moved by using the cumulative distance it has moved by using the cumulative distance column on the worksheet. If the cumulative column on the worksheet. If the cumulative distance is greater than 2 km, go to step 9 and distance is greater than 2 km, go to step 9 and begin plotting the progressive vector diagram in begin plotting the progressive vector diagram in Google Earth to determine the coordinates for Google Earth to determine the coordinates for the nearest vector. Return to steps 6 and 7 once the nearest vector. Return to steps 6 and 7 once you have the location for the new vector. you have the location for the new vector.

You will now use Google Earth to use the You will now use Google Earth to use the information on the Progressive Vector Diagram information on the Progressive Vector Diagram Worksheet to see where the oil travels in 12 Worksheet to see where the oil travels in 12 hours. hours.

9. Open Google Earth9. Open Google Earth

10. Enter 33.7022 N, 118.2417 W in the “Fly to” 10. Enter 33.7022 N, 118.2417 W in the “Fly to” box. Click on the “Begin Search” icon, which is box. Click on the “Begin Search” icon, which is next to the box. next to the box.

11. Click on the “Add Placemark” icon.11. Click on the “Add Placemark” icon.

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

13. Click on the “Show Ruler” Icon.13. Click on the “Show Ruler” Icon.

14. Disable “mouse navigation” if it is not already 14. Disable “mouse navigation” if it is not already disabled.disabled.

15. Change units to nautical miles in the drop down 15. Change units to nautical miles in the drop down menu. menu.

16. Draw a line from the point of the 16. Draw a line from the point of the placemark to the location where the oil placemark to the location where the oil would travel in one hour based on the would travel in one hour based on the distance (nm) you recorded in the first row distance (nm) you recorded in the first row of the Progressive Vector Diagram of the Progressive Vector Diagram Worksheet. Try to get the length and Worksheet. Try to get the length and heading as close as possible to the heading as close as possible to the information from the vector, although it information from the vector, although it may not be possible to get the numbers to may not be possible to get the numbers to match exactly. match exactly.

17. Click on the “Add Placemark” icon. 17. Click on the “Add Placemark” icon.

18. Drag this placemark to the end of the line 18. Drag this placemark to the end of the line you just drew. Name the placemark T1. Click you just drew. Name the placemark T1. Click on “OK” at the bottom of the window. 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 19. Click on the “clear” button in the ruler box. box.

20. Click the “hide ruler” button.20. Click the “hide ruler” button.

21. Click the “show ruler” button. 21. Click the “show ruler” button.

22. Change units to nautical miles in the 22. Change units to nautical miles in the drop down menudrop down menu

23. Draw a line from the point of T1 to the 23. Draw a line from the point of T1 to the location where the oil would travel in one location where the oil would travel in one hour based on the distance (nm) you hour based on the distance (nm) you recorded in the second row of therecorded in the second row of the

24. Click on the “Add Placemark” icon. 24. Click on the “Add Placemark” icon.

25. Drag this placemark to the end of the 25. Drag this placemark to the end of the line you just drew. Name the placemark line you just drew. Name the placemark T2. Click on “OK” at the bottom of the T2. Click on “OK” at the bottom of the window. window.

This placemark shows you where the oil This placemark shows you where the oil would be 2 hours after the release time. would be 2 hours after the release time.

26. Continue drawing lines and adding 26. Continue drawing lines and adding placemarks until you have marked the placemarks until you have marked the location where the oil would be 12 hours after location where the oil would be 12 hours after the release time. the release time.

27. Did the oil reach shore after 12 hours? 27. Did the oil reach shore after 12 hours?

If yes, will it move up the coast or down If yes, will it move up the coast or down the coast? the coast?

If no, and currents remain consistent at 12 If no, and currents remain consistent at 12 hours past release time, when will it reach hours past release time, when will it reach the coast?the coast?

ANSWER:ANSWER:

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

01:42 PDT.01:42 PDT.

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

ANSWER:ANSWER:

33°42’12.12” N33°42’12.12” N

118°11’10.15” W118°11’10.15” W

*The coordinates could vary slightly based *The coordinates could vary slightly based on the distance resolution and angle on the distance resolution and angle accuracy in Google Earth. It is tricky to get accuracy in Google Earth. It is tricky to get the exact heading.the exact heading.