One of the worst oil spills in history occurred along the Alaskan coastline in 1989, when the Exxon Valdez tanker ran aground off the coast of Alaska,spilling 42 millions liters of oil.Although it wasn't the largest oil spill of all time,the Exxon Valdez disaster was terrible because it occurred in such s sensitive natural area. In this spill, the tanker's captain, who was tired from overwork and drinking alcohol, had gone to take a rest. He gave control of the ship to another sailor, who was unfamiliar with the route the ship was taking.The ship ran onto Bligh Reef, a natural underwater rock wall near the Alaskan coast.Damaged by the reef,the ship leaked oil out into the ocean. More than 1600 kilometers of coastline were affected by the oil spill.Some scientists who studied nature in the area estimate that 580000 birds and 5500 otters died as a result of the oil from the spill covering their skin. Smaller shellfish and other sea creatures living on the ocean floor were also affected, and these creatures were later eaten by seals, whales, and other animals