Island of rubbish three times as big as Britain floats towards US

Japan tsunami debris tracked across the Pacific Ocean now floats towards California.

14:04 06 November 2013

Five million tons of Japan tsunami debris, which is estimated to be three times the size of Britain, is making its way to the US. It is expected to reach California coastline sparking huge environmental concerns.

The collected rubbish is made up of boats, cars, devastated homes and businesses, which is a result of the 2011 tsunami in Japan.

America’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has previously discovered the massive debris on the west coast. However, their latest findings suggest that California is expected to be hit with a deluge all at once.

Experts remain unable to give a specific date as to when the debris will be wash ashore but they are closely monitoring its movements.

Seven months ago marked the first documented debris, a 20-foot boat that belonged to the marine sciences program at Takata High School, to reach Cresecent City, California.

NOAA spokeswoman Keeley Belva said more than 1,600 reports of debris had been firmly traced back to the tsunami.

The 2011 tsunami, which was caused by massive earthquake, devastated the east coast of Japan. It also destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant and sent three of its reactors into meltdown.