1990s: Braer oil spill, Shetland Isles, UK

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Hurricane-force winds and stormy seas in the Shetland Isles sparked concerns of an ecological disaster, when the Braer oil tanker ran aground, spilling almost 85,000 tons of crude oil into the ocean. The tanker lost power in the ferocious storm and went on to hit rocks on the southern tip of Shetland on 5 January 1993. While thousands of birds perished and many marine animals were affected, in the end the bad weather helped limit the damage, by sweeping the oil out to sea.

Historic weather events that shocked the world (msn.com)

1990s: Braer oil spill, Shetland Isles, UK Hurricane-force winds and stormy seas in the Shetland Isles sparked concerns of an ecological disaster, when the Braer oil tanker ran aground, spilling almost 85,000 tons of crude oil into the ocean. The tanker lost power in the ferocious storm and went on to hit rocks on the southern tip of Shetland on 5 January 1993. While thousands of birds perished and many marine animals were affected, in the end the bad weather helped limit the damage, by sweeping the oil out to sea.