The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an area of the Pacific Ocean about one thousand miles west of California and one thousand miles north of Hawaii where garbage, mainly plastic debris, has built up and formed a giant wasteland.
Because many ocean currents meet up in the Pacific, garbage from all across the world makes its way to the Pacific. Although researchers do not have definite information about the Garbage Patch, it is believed to be about twice the size of Texas and weigh 3 million tons. It is also estimated to reach about 300 feet below sea level. The Garbage Patch poses a major threat to both birds and ocean wildlife.
