SCCOOS Web Site SCCOOS Web Site

Real-time Oil Spill Response ScenarioReal-time Oil Spill Response Scenario

ScenarioScenario

There was an oil spill near Rancho Palos There was an oil spill near Rancho Palos Verdes at 33.7201 N, 118.3458 W today.Verdes at 33.7201 N, 118.3458 W today.

Use the wave conditions web page, Use the wave conditions web page, meteorological conditions web page, meteorological conditions web page, surface current mapping web page, and surface current mapping web page, and Google Earth (if necessary) to answer Google Earth (if necessary) to answer the following questions about this oil spill. the following questions about this oil spill.

QuestionsQuestions

a.a. Do the weather and wave conditions Do the weather and wave conditions allow us to send a response team to the allow us to send a response team to the site?site?

b.b. Where will the oil be in one hour?Where will the oil be in one hour?

c.c. If the conditions remain the same, If the conditions remain the same, where will the oil be in 12 hours?where will the oil be in 12 hours?

1. Go to the wave conditions web page at 1. Go to the wave conditions web page at http://http://www.sccoos.org/data/waves/?rwww.sccoos.org/data/waves/?r=0=0

What is the swell height range for the What is the swell height range for the area?area?

What is the peak period (Tp) and peak What is the peak period (Tp) and peak direction (Dp) of the swell?direction (Dp) of the swell?

*Answers will vary depending on conditions*Answers will vary depending on conditions

2. Go to the Recent Meteorological 2. Go to the Recent Meteorological Stations and Observations web page at Stations and Observations web page at http:// http://www.sccoos.org/data/metswww.sccoos.org/data/mets//

What are the weather conditions in the area?What are the weather conditions in the area? Air temperatureAir temperature Air pressureAir pressure Wind speedWind speed Wind directionWind direction Wind gustWind gust HumidityHumidity Precipitation ratePrecipitation rate When was this data collected? When was this data collected?

*Answers will vary depending on conditions*Answers will vary depending on conditions

3. Based on the wave conditions and the 3. Based on the wave conditions and the weather conditions, can you send a weather conditions, can you send a response team to the site?response team to the site?

4. Go to the surface current mapping web 4. Go to the surface current mapping web page at page at http://www.sccoos.org/data/hfrnet/http://www.sccoos.org/data/hfrnet/

5. Go to View Full Page5. Go to View Full Page

6. Select 2 km6. Select 2 km

7. Disable the “Use 25 hr Averages” option7. Disable the “Use 25 hr Averages” option

8. Locate the vector where the oil spill took 8. Locate the vector where the oil spill took placeplace

9. Use the Progressive Vector Diagram 9. Use the Progressive Vector Diagram Worksheet to record the measurements for 12 Worksheet to record the measurements for 12 hours after the release time (assume constant hours after the release time (assume constant current speed and direction). You don’t need to current speed and direction). You don’t need to plote each point in Google Earth, but you may plote each point in Google Earth, but you may need to use Google Earth to determine which need to use Google Earth to determine which vector to move if the currents would move the vector to move if the currents would move the oil more than 2 km (1.08 nm) in 12 hours. (1 oil more than 2 km (1.08 nm) in 12 hours. (1 kt= 1 nm/hrkt= 1 nm/hr

10. You can also go to the Southern 10. You can also go to the Southern California Forecast Model web page to California Forecast Model web page to look at forecasts for wave conditions for look at forecasts for wave conditions for upcoming days. You can click on any upcoming days. You can click on any point on the map to get details about the point on the map to get details about the forecast for that location. forecast for that location.

11. Based on the information that you have 11. Based on the information that you have gathered, how far will the oil travel one gathered, how far will the oil travel one hour after the release time?hour after the release time?

If these conditions remain the same, how If these conditions remain the same, how far will the oil travel 12 hours after the far will the oil travel 12 hours after the release time?release time?

*Answers will vary depending on conditions.*Answers will vary depending on conditions.