Oil unlikely to reach East Coast

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - An expert on marine sciences and coastal circulation says it's unlikely that oil from the Gulf spill will reach the eastern seaboard.

North Carolina State University associate professor Roy He said Thursday the chances are low in part because the well is capped. He also says large amounts of oil haven't been observed in the Loop Current, which could carry oil around Florida and into East Coast waters. He also points to the ongoing dilution and degradation of the oil.

A National Center for Atmospheric Research model released at the beginning of June projected that parts of the oil spill could come up the east coast during the summer. Experts said at the time any oil that would reach the east coast would likely arrive in the form of small, weathered tar balls.