Japan Tsunami Debris Field Headed for U.S. Carrying Possible Human Remains?

The Japan tsunami debris field is making its way to U.S. shores. This tsunami not only carried debris out to sea, but it took with it up to 20,000 missing bodies. What about the human remains washed out to sea?

The latest news of the floating debris field reported from a Russian ship, the STS Pallada, puts the field traveling faster than first predicted. While the predicted path held true, the speed in which the current pushed the debris field was greater than originally thought, according to The Daily Mail.

The Pallada reported finding a Japanese fishing vessel as one of the biggest pieces in the tsunami debris field, along with refrigerators, furniture, televisions sets, household appliance and wooden pieces from buildings. Basically anything that floats is in this field of debris.

The tsunami took up to 20,000 bodies out to sea that tragic day back in March, and while bodies decompose and sink, feet inside tight waterproof shoes can survive for a long time. During an interview this summer, oceanographer Curtis Ebbesmeyer said that it's still possible that some disturbing discoveries will occur when this floating field of debris washes up on shore.

Feet in sneakers can last for years. Sneakers with feet still in them washed ashore in the Pacific Northwest years after a boat sunk and DNA linked the feet to the missing persons who drowned, according to the LA Weekly.

This is a possibility when the Japan tsunami debris wash ashore. The first piece of land this floating island of junk is due to hit is Midway Islands this winter. The Hawaiian Islands are next in two years with the West Coast of the US mapped for the debris to come ashore in three years.