How the Containment Dome Would Stop the Oil Leak

How do you stop a Gulf Coast oil leak one mile underwater? Put a hat on it, of course.

This CNN video does an excellent job explaining how BP workers hope to lower a remote-controlled metal box to the bottom of the gulf to plug up a gushing wellhead. The company has said this could optimistically plug up about 85% of the leak. Nobody knows for sure if the dome idea will work, especially since wind and currents will make it difficult to pinpoint the leak. But it sure looks more promising than fire.