On January 14, 1969, a massive oil spill occurred off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, after a blowout from an offshore drilling platform. The spill released over 3 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean, causing significant environmental damage to marine life and coastal ecosystems. The disaster became a major catalyst for the environmental movement in the United States. It led to stricter regulations for offshore drilling and increased environmental awareness. The Santa Barbara spill is considered one of the worst environmental disasters of its time.