PhilSA shares images of possible oil spill progression, scope in Mindoro
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Friday, March 17, released satellite images of the possible progression and scope of the oil spill caused by sunken MT Princess Empress on the coast of Oriental Mindoro.
"This map shows possible oil spill extent in the coast of Oriental Mindoro as observed from the RCM-3 SAR image captured on 15 March 2023. The detected oil spill covers approximately 7 square kilometers." (Photo: RCM-3 SAR)
These images were captured on March 15 by the RCM-3 SAR and TanDEM-X SAR satellites and were retrieved from the International Charter Space and Major Disasters (Disasters Charter) with Wikipedia used as base maps. As of 5:48 a.m. on the said date, approximately seven square kilometers of possible oil spill were detected by the RCM-3 SAR on the province's coast.
"This map shows possible oil spill extent in the coast of Oriental Mindoro as observed from the TanDEM-X SAR image captured on 15 March 2023. The detected oil spill covers approximately 3 square kilometers." (Photo: TanDEM-X SAR)
Meanwhile, at 5:58 p.m., the TanDEM-X SAR image detected about three square kilometers of oil spill in the area. Also, the RCM-3 SAR showed in its 5:59 p.m. image roughly four square kilometers of oil spill coverage on the coast.
"This map shows possible oil extent in the coast of Oriental Mindoro as observed from RCM-3 SAR image captured on 15 March 2023. The detected oil spill covers approximately 4 square kilometers." (Photo: RCM-3 SAR)
Some ships that might be doing intervention efforts can also be seen in the photos, PhilSA said. Further images will be released depending on the availability of satellite data, the agency said.
"This map shows possible oil spill extent in the coast of Oriental Mindoro as observed from the RCM-3 SAR image captured on 15 March 2023. The detected oil spill covers approximately 7 square kilometers." (Photo: RCM-3 SAR)
These images were captured on March 15 by the RCM-3 SAR and TanDEM-X SAR satellites and were retrieved from the International Charter Space and Major Disasters (Disasters Charter) with Wikipedia used as base maps. As of 5:48 a.m. on the said date, approximately seven square kilometers of possible oil spill were detected by the RCM-3 SAR on the province's coast.
"This map shows possible oil spill extent in the coast of Oriental Mindoro as observed from the TanDEM-X SAR image captured on 15 March 2023. The detected oil spill covers approximately 3 square kilometers." (Photo: TanDEM-X SAR)
Meanwhile, at 5:58 p.m., the TanDEM-X SAR image detected about three square kilometers of oil spill in the area. Also, the RCM-3 SAR showed in its 5:59 p.m. image roughly four square kilometers of oil spill coverage on the coast.
"This map shows possible oil extent in the coast of Oriental Mindoro as observed from RCM-3 SAR image captured on 15 March 2023. The detected oil spill covers approximately 4 square kilometers." (Photo: RCM-3 SAR)
Some ships that might be doing intervention efforts can also be seen in the photos, PhilSA said. Further images will be released depending on the availability of satellite data, the agency said.