Rusted seawall, Midway Atoll. Photo source: ©© JanVozenilek / Midway Journey
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Japanese debris swept into the ocean by last year’s massive earthquake-caused tsunami is still likely a year away from washing up in Hawaii, but folks at Midway are expecting some soon.
Ocean currents have kept the debris away from Midway past the expected arrival date, but those currents are constantly changing, said Jan Hafner of the International Pacific Research Center, a member of a team that is using computers to model the debris path.
“The prediction was for Midway Atoll this winter, and the winter 2012-13 for the main Hawaiian Islands,” Hafner said.
Hafner and colleagues are keeping tabs on the debris, and their latest measurements show the extent to which the debris field has spread just to the north of Midway.
The debris has dispersed and is not visible by satellites, so scientists have deployed hundreds of high-tech devices to help monitor the path of the debris, which could be hazardous to ships, marine life and coastlines.
