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New App Tracks Tsunami Debris

The March 2011 Japanese tsunami dispersed roughly 1.5 million tons of debris eastward across the Pacific Ocean. Authorities believe the majority of this debris will arrive on the west coast throughout 2013 with a large mass expected to reach coastal waters within a few weeks.

A new mobile debris tracking app called Coastbuster can help government agencies locate, photograph and track large or potentially hazardous objects, while providing important data to researchers studying ocean currents.

Developed at the University of Victoria’s Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), Coastbuster allows volunteers and residents of coastal communities to gather evidence of tsunami debris and share this information using social networking tools. The mobile tracking app is simple to use and supports coordinated debris-location efforts along the Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska.

      What: Coastbuster mobile app demo and chat with Dr. Kate Moran, President of
      Ocean Networks Canada (ONC).
      When: Thursday, November 29, 9-10 a.m.
      Where: Telegraph Cove (end of Telegraph Bay Road) Saanich; Parking beside
      beach. http://goo.gl/maps/Dn8MM

To view the Coastbuster app:
CoastGoogle Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=coastbuster
For more information about Coastbuster: http://www.oceannetworks.ca/coastbuster

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Media Contacts:

Virginia Keast (ONC Communications) at 250-216-7510 or email vkeast@uvic.ca
Mitch Wright (UVic Communications) at 250-721-6139 or email mwwright@uvic.ca

Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is a not-for-profit society created in 2007 by the University of Victoria to develop and manage the ONC Observatory, to position Canada as an international leader in the science and technology of ocean observing systems, and to maximize associated economic and societal benefits through commercialization and outreach. www.oceannetworks.ca

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