A concern about a massive debris field hitting the Washington coast is no longer a threat, according to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
Millions of tons of debris got pulled into the Pacific Ocean after a massive earthquake that triggered a tsunami in Japan.
Scientists started tracking the debris immediately, and some estimated the field of floating junk could cover an area the size of California and crash onto the Washington coast.
“The good news is neither our satellites nor our vessels have found any giant debris field as some had feared, said Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank.
Blank spoke with a Seattle audience Friday morning and said that the government can’t find the field, and said tracking materials in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean is difficult.
“Nevertheless, we will remain alert and prepared for whatever comes our way. Whether it’s something as big as a fishing boat or as small as a soccer ball,” Blank said.
As of now, a 165-ton dock washed up on the Oregon coast and a rusty Japanese squid boat had to be sunk off the coast of Alaska.
Most of the debris hitting the state’s beaches has been much smaller.
“Together, we will collect data, assess potential threats and move to minimize the impact of any tsunami debris on our natural resources and coast communities,” Blank said.
According to Blank, the consensus among experts is that it’s highly unlikely that any tsunami debris will have harmful levels of radiation.
KIRO
