Google's Crisis Response team has developed a map tool to help locals understand how the Gulf spill will affect them.

The tool, revealed yesterday, has 11 different layers using imagery from a variety of sources over the past few days.  The map shows the spill has touched land in a few locations but is mostly still out at sea.

Google also offers the MODIS satellite images as a KML files that can be viewed in Google Earth as well as animations from NASA and others.

They also offer other ways to help:

• Read: U.S.News & World Report's 10 Things You Can Do To Help The Gulf Coast
• Volunteer: American Red Cross Panama City, FL; Audubon Society; Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana; Mobile Bay National Estuary; Mobile Baykeeper
• Donate: Alabama Coastal Foundation

Google also asks users to upload videos of the disaster and will publish them via YouTube as they become available.

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