January 16, 2001
A fuel supply tanker to the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific ran aground off the island of San Cristobal. Marine experts warned of an ecological disaster to the Archipelago, which is home to thousands of unique animal and plant species. Eventually, as much as 180 thousand gallons of fuel escaped into the water. A June 2002 report found the slick’s effects had been very damaging to the ecology – up to 62% of the marine iguana population on one island had been killed off.
