Interactive: Field of 2011 Japan tsunami flotsam size of TEXAS approaching California coast

An amalgamation of flotsam from the 2011 tsunami which swept Japan following one of the largest Earthquakes in recorded history, will soon strike the West Coast of the United States after more than two years of floating on the currents across the Pacific.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Beachcombers have already found the first debris, ranging from boats to soccer balls, and even a motorcycle from Japan on West Coast beaches. However the debris thus far found, since April, 2013, will be little in comparison to the debris about to come ashore in the next several months.

Just northeast of Hawaii, and approaching  the U.S., is a debris field the size of the state of Texas, floating eastward at a pace that will bring it to western shores over the next year. Most of the debris is expected to turn south, then west, back towards Japan with the currents, but many artifacts will certainly wash ashore as the bulk of the flotsam passes south, off the coast.

An estimated five tons of debris is thought to remain afloat out at sea. At least one ton may come ashore, mostly in California.

The debris includes wrecked homes and structures, boats, and millions of other smaller items. Large storage drums, empty containers, and other, smaller items are expected. Plastic and wooden items will probably be the most common. Floating docks have already washed ashore in Washington and Oregon.

The debris should be more prevalent in California as currents turn the body of flotsam south, then back to the west.

Click here to watch an interactive graphic of the debris field.

Beachcombers are warned to avoid any debris that could contain hazardous materials or otherwise be dangerous. Despite leaks from the nuclear power plant at Fukushima, no danger from radiation is expected.

The likelihood of finding human remains is virtually zero. Still, beach-goers are advised to use caution when walking the strand and swimming and should avoid contact with any large debris. Instead, they should report the debris to local authorities for cleanup.

The documented range of debris is from Alaska in the north to the Philippines in the south.

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