On February 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker struck a reef off the coast of Alaska, spilling approximately 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound. The spill caused one of the most devastating environmental disasters in U.S. history, with the oil spreading over 1,300 miles of coastline. The disaster killed thousands of marine animals and birds, and the effects on the ecosystem lasted for decades. The spill prompted widespread criticism of Exxon and led to changes in U.S. environmental laws, including the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The tragedy highlighted the environmental risks associated with oil transportation and sparked a global movement for better regulation and spill prevention.