On March 11, 2011, a devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. The disaster claimed nearly 16,000 lives, injured 6,000, and destroyed or damaged countless buildings. As a result of the disaster, NOAA has seen a portion of the debris that the tsunami washed into the ocean reach U.S. and Canadian shores over the past several years. It is likely that more debris will continue to arrive. NOAA has led efforts with federal, state, and local partners to collect data, assess the debris, and reduce possible impacts to our natural resources and coastal communities.
On March 11, 2011, a devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. The disaster claimed nearly 16,000 lives, injured 6,000, and destroyed or damaged countless buildings. As a result of the disaster, NOAA has seen a portion of the debris that the tsunami washed into the ocean reach U.S. and Canadian shores over the past several years. It is likely that more debris will continue to arrive. NOAA has led efforts with federal, state, and local partners to collect data, assess the debris, and reduce possible impacts to our natural resources and coastal communities.