Florida Keys Oil Spill update July 21, 2010

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Loop Current has pulled even further away from the Transocean/BP spill site.

According to a new NOAA graphic, which is being displayed on the Monroe County Tourist Development Council’s special oil spill page at www.fla-keys.com/oilspill, the closest point of the oil slick to the northernmost edge of the Loop Current on Monday was about 350 miles.

The separation of the Loop Current from the spill site, coupled with the clockwise-rotating Eddy Franklin current in between, makes it extremely unlikely that oil residues, including tar balls, from the spill site will reach the Keys and Florida’s east coast.

The Loop Current is dynamic and its position can change, but given the large separation, officials continue to project low risks of oil residue impacts for the Keys.