How much of the Alaskan coastline (in miles) was covered in oil when the first cleanup barge reached the Exxon Valdez disaster site?

The Exxon Valdez oil spill, which occurred in 1989, resulted in a significant environmental disaster, affecting a large portion of the Alaskan coastline. When the first cleanup barge arrived at the disaster site, it was observed that approximately 1,100 miles of coastline were contaminated with oil. This extensive coverage illustrates the severity of the spill and highlights the challenges faced by cleanup efforts, as the impacted area included not just open waters but also intricate coastal ecosystems.

Understanding the scale of the contamination is crucial for grasping the environmental impact that this incident had on marine life, local communities, and the economy, as well as for the subsequent regulatory changes and improvements in spill response measures. This context emphasizes the importance of the 1,100 miles figure, which is a stark reminder of the consequences of oil spills.