Japan's Tsunami Flotsam to hit West Coast of U.S.

Japan's Tsunami Flotsam is likely on its way to hit West Coast‎ of U.S. A retired oceanographer, Curt Ebbesmeyer who is Seattle-based advisor for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has spent many years in tracking flotsam from various cargo ships and says that Flotsam from the tsunami that hit Japan should likely to wash up on the beaches of Washington, California, Oregon and lastly Hawaii.

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Ebbesmeyer says he has discovered about everything from rubber bath toys to Nike sneakers and depends on the hard work of beachcombers. The flotsam is being brought by recent coming off of Japan, flowing in what is recognized as the North Pacific Gyre, a major oceanic gyre and dwelling to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, as per Ebbesmeyer. He said the Associated Press, "If you put a major city through a trash grinder and sprinkle it on the water, that's what you're dealing with."

James Hevezi, who is the chair of the American College of Radiology Commission on Medical Physics, says as to whether any of the debris might be irradiated from the destruction at Japanese nuclear power plants. “But it would be very low risk. The amount that would be on the stuff by the time it reached the West Coast would be minimal,” Hevezi said.

A plumber and avid beachcomber, Washington resident John Anderson said, "I'm fascinated to see what actually makes it over here, compared to what might sink or biodegrade out there.”