My wife just wants a nice simple overview of how the oil spill happened in the first place, what’s being done to try to stop it, and so forth. Do you know of a nice summary I can direct her to?
Does this help? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLiqvZOP8TY
Bear in mind this illustrates the mechanics of the spill, and not what caused the disaster. What led up to the actual gas explosion that topped the drilling rig remains opens to debate. However, news reports indicate BP went against the advice of engineers and others in securing the well, short-changed procedures and set itself up for the disaster.
Transocean and Halliburton who were contacted to do functions could also have cut corners on their own.
Not an explanation per se, but enough to make you weep with despair:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/05/oil_reaches_louisiana_shores.html