Spill Could Move Up East Coast on the Gulf Stream

[JCMach1]

A University of Florida professor and oceanographic expert says he believes the east coast of Florida might see the worst of the impact of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico... Y. Peter Sheng, coastal and oceanographic engineer at UF, said the six-day ocean current models released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reveal that the western coast of Florida, from the Big Bend to Cedar Key, could be spared.

The oil slick that's growing south of the Louisiana coast could get caught in what's called the "Loop Current," which flows through the Florida Straits and becomes the Gulf Stream.

The Gulf Stream runs up the eastern coast of Florida. Sheng said he believes it is entirely possible, even probable, that this will happen, thus impacting the beaches from Miami to Jacksonville. The Loop Current is about 35 miles south of the slick, which currently is 125 miles wide and 40 miles long.

"I would say the east coast of Florida has the higher probability (of being impacted by the oil spill)," said Sheng, adding his opinion is based on NOAA's ocean current forecast and wind direction... http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100501/ARTICLES/5011009/1156?p=1&tc=pg

[MadMaddie]

1. The weather is a huge factor the unpredictable winds are

creating chaos.

I heard one of the BP people saying that there safety equipment that they were using is as good as the shut off switch that all other countries use. I am surprised the reporter didn't laugh in his face.....

[SoCalDem]

2. Hurricane season starts in a month

Who knows WHERE all this spewing oil will end up?

Yucatan?
Texas?
Florida?
Georgia?
S. Carolina?
N.Carolina?
Virginia?


Even northern coasts of Cuba

If the currents are just right, even Bermuda could be affected.

Of course once dispersed, it might not be as "bad", but ANY oil in the sea or on the beaches is bad enough