The giant fire tornado that could save our oceans

In the frantic hours following an offshore oil spill, emergency responders face a destructive decision: let the oil spread or ignite it. Once ignited, it creates an “in-situ” fire pool that stops the oil from spreading and poisoning marine ecosystems—but it comes at a heavy cost. Thick, black smoke billows into the sky, toxic soot enters the atmosphere and a layer of unburned sludge is left behind on the ocean’s surface.