Debris from Japan Tsunami is Floating Toward Hawaii -- Laura Frei

Remember the Japanese tsunami back in March? The magnitude 9.0 earthquake, and the devastating tsunami that followed left nearly 21,000 people dead or injured. Although it occurred across the Pacific Ocean, Americans on the West Coast may be seeing the aftermath of the disaster for years to come.
Jan Hafner, a scientific computer programmer and oceanographer Nikolai Maximenko, have been researching ocean currents since 2009. In the midst of the devastating earthquake and tsunami, they used their research to predict the path of the debris through the Pacific Ocean using computer modules. However, they had no first-hand observations of the field site. That changed last month thanks to the Russian ship STS Pallada. The STS Pallada was sailing from Honolulu when it spotted debris from Japan. The debris included refrigerators, appliances, electronics, and a Japanese fishing boat. The debris was all the evidence Hafner and Maximenko needed to prove that their research was heading in the right direction.
So what does this mean for the USA? According to predictions, this debris from the disaster could reach Hawaii by 2013, and could appear on the coast of Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Canada by 2014. Although it is unlikely that the debris contains radioactive material from the Fukushima plant, it is important to remember the repercussions of debris in oceanic waters. Debris is on the same ground as pollution, which can cause injury or death to aquatic life, and can harm beach-goers. It can also cost money for cleanup efforts, as well as contribute to a decline in tourism of beaches.

This article relates to Earth Science because of its discussion of Earthquakes, tsunamis, and oceanic currents. All of these phenomena can be studied in the field of Earth Science, and extensive research can be done about these various topics. Hafner and Maximenko's hypothesis and research demonstrates the scientific method that we discussed in class.
I never considered the idea that the tsunami in Japan could ultimately impact the United States for years to come. When the disaster occurred, most people were thinking of ways to help the victims and survivors. Although the odds of radioactive material washing up on the shores of the United States is unlikely, pollution of beaches and the oceans is still a huge problem. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is doing all that it can to gather information about debris sightings. This is reassuring that the NOAA will work hard to ensure that the situation is handled properly to minimize the damaging effects of pollution in the oceans. It will be interesting to see how this develops in the next few years and to monitor the impact that the debris has on oceanic life and ecosystems.

Sources:
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/debris_from_japanese_tsunami_i.html
http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/marinedebris/factsheet_marinedebris_debris.cfm