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NOAA tracks tsunami debris – Updated 6/7/12

June, 2012

A Japanese dock washed ashore an Oregon beach on 6/6/12 (Photo: AP)

Japanese officials estimate that 5 million tons of debris washed into the Pacific after the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). About 70% of that sank, leaving about 1.5 million tons floating. Scientists expect more debris to hit the West Coast in coming months and through 2014.

UPDATED 6/7/12

Examples like the 66 foot dock that landed on Oregon shores in June 2012 show not only the size of debris that can make the 5,000 mile journey, but also what potential shipping hazards debris can present. Additionally, debris like this may harbor invasive species which could potentially spread on the US West Coast. This dock was covered with a still-living, virtual Japanese ecosystem, including algae, mussels, clams, crabs, seastars and other organisms. Click here for more information about invasive species monitoring in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Verified reports of tsunami debris:

6/7/12: Agate Beach, Oregon: Dock From Japan Tsunami Washes Ashore

5/24/12: Japan’s tsunami debris found on Alaskan shores

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To learn more about the tsunami debris, NOAA researchers have been working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other partners to coordinate data collection activities. NOAA and its partners are also coordinating an interagency assessment and response plan to address the wide-range of potential scenarios and threats posed by the debris.“We’re preparing for the best and worst case scenarios — and everything in between,” says Nancy Wallace, director for NOAA’s Marine Debris Program.

As the tsunami surge receded, it washed Japanese boats, pieces of smashed buildings, appliances, and plastic, metal, and rubber objects of all shapes and sizes washed into the Japan Sea. Some of the debris sank near shore and some continues to float into the Pacific Ocean. Large, floating debris fields were detected by satellite imagery and aerial photos of Japanese coastal waters.

The Japanese government estimated that the tsunami generated 25 million tons of rubble on land, but there is no clear understanding of exactly how much debris was swept into the water nor what remained afloat.

To learn more about efforts to track the Japanese marine debris, go to to the NOS site.

Help wanted: beachcombers and monitors

No matter where it comes from, we should all take comfort in this: debris is – for the most part – removable and preventable. If you see small debris, pick it up and examine it. Items that have no identifying markers should be disposed of properly, but if it belongs to someone, alert a local authority. You can also report large volumes of debris or items that clearly came from Japan to DisasterDebris@noaa.gov. There are other easy ways to help: join a beach cleanup or recommit yourself to recycling.

Some items should be left to the authorities. We urge beach cleaners not to touch anything that appears hazardous or too large to move safely. Report it, and it will likely be dealt with by local emergency responders.

This is a challenging situation, to be sure, and it will take everyone working together to address it. But if we remain aware and take action, we can reduce the impact marine debris has on our environment now and in the future – whatever it may bring. NOAA needs beach monitors to help us survey the shores for baseline marine debris data. That way, if more debris starts appearing, we’ll know the leading edge of the tsunami debris may have arrived. You can request NOAA Marine Debris Program protocols at MD.monitoring@noaa.gov.

To see a movie that models movement of the debris, click here.

To see daily tracks of where the debris should be, click here.

West Coast Leaders announce joint response to Japanese tsunami debris, see press release here.