Natural disasters like hurricanes, tsunamis, and floods can devastate human life and property. They can also generate marine debris. Storms can deposit almost any object into the ocean. The high winds, heavy rains, flooding, and tidal surges can carry objects of all sizes far out to sea. Yard furniture, cars, boats, parts of homes, household appliances, fencing, or docks can all end up in waterways and the ocean during a storm.

Disasters created by overturned vessels and other accidents at sea can also create large amounts of marine debris all at once. Transportation accidents, spills from cargo ships, and collisions with large infrastructure, such as bridges and dams, can all contribute to marine debris.

On March 11, 2011, a devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. The disaster claimed nearly 16,000 lives, injured 6,000, and destroyed or damaged countless buildings. Unfortunately, the effects of these natural events did not stop there. The Government of Japan estimated that 5 million tons of debris washed into the ocean with the massive tsunami. Around 70% of that debris sank near shore, leaving 1.5 million tons of floating debris to drift in the Pacific Ocean.