The Great Pacific Garbage Patch or Eastern Garbage Patch)is a region of the Pacific Ocean northeast of Hawaii where high concentrations of marine debris can be found.This debris includes easily visible large pieces of floating litter such as plastic bottles,along with vast quantities of easily- overlooked confetti- sized plastic particles suspended in the surface waters.The patch is estimated to be at least the size of Texas,with some estimates as great as the size of the continental United States.Several such patches exist in the various oceans across the globe.What is the most logical explanation for the existence of these patches?
A)The rotation of the planet causes marine debris to be pulled toward the Equator,where most of these patches are found.
B)The patches are found along shipping lanes where cruise ships illegally dispose of their garbage by throwing it overboard.
C)Currents circulate plastics and other debris until they accumulate in areas where currents are more sluggish.
D)There are several locations in the middle of the oceans where it is legal to dump wastes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Currents in the ocean circulate and converge in certain areas, causing debris to accumulate where the currents are more sluggish. This is known as a gyre. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is located in the North Pacific Gyre, where the flow of currents creates a convergence zone that traps floating debris.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch or Eastern Garbage Patch)is a Region