NOAA Article On Garbage Patch In The Pacific Ocean
Editor's Note-
The "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" or "Trash Vortex" is one of those shocking pieces of news that is surrounded by a lot of mystery. NOAA has a great Q and A type article that answers many questions.
Here is a sample:
Where is the "garbage patch"?
The concentrations of marine debris ("garbage patches") that have been covered in the media are within the North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone (STCZ) (see map, Convergence Zone) – sometimes referred to as the “trash superhighway” that connects the "eastern and western garbage patches". It is our belief that these “patches” lie within the STCZ.
The North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone (STCZ) is a known area of marine debris accumulation in the North Pacific Ocean. This area does not have distinct boundaries and varies in strength and location throughout the year. This amorphous area moves seasonally between 23° and 37° N latitude. The STCZ shifts farther southward during periods of El Niño.
[Note: There are approximately 70 miles between degrees of latitude; 23° and 37° N latitude would span a distance of approximately 1000 miles.]
