The various tanker spills were horrible. Ten years or so later things started to get back to "normal".

The scarey thing about this one is that it didn't happen on the surface. There is crap far below the surface being carried by ocean currents and it could end up anywhere for a long time to come. If BP "survives" the "immediate" damage compensation (rumours are afoot that they are preparing for possible bankruptcy), will they be held liable when the crap comes ashore across the pond? or elswhere?