-
Explosion
An explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico explodes killing 11 people -
Sinking
The Deepwater Horizon rig sinks to the bottom of the Gulf after burning for 36 hour -
Warning
The US Coast Guard warns the oil leak could become the worst oil spill in US History -
Set fire to oil
The US Coast Guard set fire to patches of oil to prevent it from spreading. -
Hits shoreline
Oil from the leak begins to wash ashore in Louisiana -
Oil plugged
BP prepare to plug the leaking well with heavy drilling mud -
Big announcement
The US announces a criminal inquiry into BP oil spill -
Big amount
The US Geo Survey estimates the oil flow at as many as 40,000 barrels per day -
Reaching out
Oil spills reaches Texas meaning it has affected all five US Gulf states -
Not a risk
Thad Allen the US Coast Guard official overseeing the operation says BP oil well poses "no further risk" -
All Clean
The ruptured well is finally sealed and "effectively dead"
