Tsunami Debris Heading For US And Canada

Reports have indicated that up 20 million tons of debris from the March 11, 2011 earthquake that struck the northeast coast of Japan is making its way to the west coast of Canada and the U.S.

Wreckage , including floating furniture, TVs, refrigerators and other flotsam, is traveling quicker than had been previously estimated, and could reach North American shores by 2014 says Jan Hafner, a researcher at the University of Hawaii.

"We don't want to create a panic, but it's good to know it's coming," Hafner tells Honolulu's KITV television station.

Crew members aboard a Russian training ship spotted the debris 3,200 kilometres from Japan last month, according to the report.

"They saw some pieces of furniture, some appliances, anything that can float, and they picked up a fishing boat," Hafner says noting that the 20-foot long boat was painted with teh word 'Fukushima'.

Files compiled by Andrew Joseph