These are known as the five gyres. For the past 35 years, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists have released buoys into the sea to track ocean current. In this visualization ...

Part art gallery and part science display, this exhibit features items that have been collected on 5 Gyres’ research voyages across the world’s oceans and right here in the Great Lakes.

Trash from all over the world collects in the world’s oceans. Eventually, most of it ends up in one of five known major swirling patches of garbage. These are known as the five gyres.