Timeline of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (June 2010)

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a major environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, had significant impacts throughout June 2010, the third month after the initial explosion on April 20, 2010. While efforts were underway to contain and stop the leak, June marked a period of continued ecological damage, intensifying political scrutiny, and evolving response strategies.

• Early June (June 1-7): Containment efforts focused on deploying additional booms and skimmers to prevent the oil slick from reaching sensitive coastal areas. The "top kill" method, attempted in late May, was officially declared a failure. Attention shifted to a potential capping stack and other engineering solutions to directly stem the flow from the wellhead. Public pressure mounted on BP, the responsible party, and the Obama administration to demonstrate more effective leadership in the response. The reported flow rate of the oil leak continued to be a subject of debate, with estimates varying widely.

• Mid-June (June 8-15): BP successfully installed a containment cap on the damaged wellhead. This cap initially allowed for the collection of some oil, which was then flared or stored on surface vessels. However, the cap was not leak-proof, and concerns remained about the long-term viability of the containment strategy. Scientists continued to monitor the spread of the oil plume both on the surface and underwater, finding evidence of subsurface oil plumes stretching far beyond the immediate vicinity of the well. Economic impacts on the Gulf Coast fishing industry and tourism sector became increasingly pronounced.

• Late June (June 16-30): Oil collection via the containment cap was temporarily halted due to the threat of Tropical Storm Alex. The cap was reinstalled after the storm passed, and oil collection resumed. The temporary shutdown highlighted the vulnerability of the containment efforts to weather events. Investigations into the causes of the initial explosion continued, focusing on potential failures in well design, safety protocols, and regulatory oversight. The Obama administration announced increased restrictions on offshore drilling permits pending a full review of safety standards. Growing awareness of the potential long-term health effects on cleanup workers and coastal residents emerged as a significant concern. By the end of June, millions of barrels of oil had already been released into the Gulf of Mexico, making it one of the largest environmental disasters in history. The month concluded with ongoing efforts to contain the spill, mitigate its impacts, and understand the full scope of the damage.