Modeling the transport and accumulation floating debris generated by the 11 March 2011 Tohoku tsunami

► We model the transport of floating debris generated by the Tohoku tsunami. ► Input scenarios affect the distribution of the debris field to first order. ► Model results compare well with data describing sightings of tsunami debris. ► Hindcast currents can be used to forecast the evolution of the debris field. ► The amount of tsunami debris may exceed background levels by orders of magnitude.