FAQ: Japan Tsunami Debris
Long Beach / AvalonMalibu / Pacific PalisadesMarina del Rey / Playa del ReyPalos Verdes PeninsulaSanta MonicaSouth BayVenice Beach
Recently, the first tsunami related debris arrived on the West Coast, in Washington State.
Heal the Bay plans to continue our monthly beach clean-up activities, and will be scouting for any potential tsunami related debris. We will do our best to report any tsunami related debris to those that are tracking it. As of now, we do not plan to do any monitoring for radioactivity. Monitoring was conducted in the debris field at sea in September 2011, and the results showed no radioactivity. The debris was washed out before radioactive water started leaking from the power plant, so the contamination route is unlikely.
Do you have some questions about how the Japan tsunami debris may affect the California coast? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has the answers.
Whether you have concerns regarding radioactivity or need more information about what the navigational safety hazards will be, for the latest updates, check out NOAA’s marine debris site.
If you find any on your beaches, you can report it to MDsightings@gmail.com.
Photo: yisris via Flickr