Tracking Marine Debris from the Japanese Tsunami

Large amounts of debris from the Japanese tsunami of 2011 could hit the Oregon Coast sometime next year, according to scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Just how much flotsam will make it here and exactly when remains a mystery for now, however. The Japanese government estimates that up to 25 million tons of debris — everything from vehicles, boats and parts of buildings to appliances, bottles and cans — were swept out to sea during the course of the natural disaster last March. In the days immediately after the tsunami, large moving islands of debris were clearly visible off the Japanese coast. But as they floated out to sea and dispersed, scientists lost track of them. NOAA officials say no debris islands are currently visible in the North Pacific Ocean from their satellite images — though passing ships have reported seeing some concentrations of tsunami-related flotsam. Instead, NOAA is using computer estimates to track the debris’ path and drift rate, based on average ocean currents and winds. NOAA officials predict that the debris could begin hitting the West Coast of the United States in 2013.