Tsunami debris from Japan heading for US coast

12 April 2012

A vast field of debris swept out to sea following the Japan earthquake and tsunami is floating towards the US West Coast.

More than 200,000 buildings were washed out by the enormous waves that followed the earthquake on March 11.

There have been reports of vehicles, capsized ships and houses floating in open water. Members of the US navy's 7th fleet, who spotted the extraordinary tide of floating rubbish, said it now poses a threat to shipping.

Navy officer Vernon Dennis told ABC News: "Getting through some of these obstacles doesn't make much sense if you are going to actually cause more debris by having your own vessel become stuck."

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