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.

For the past 35 years, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists have released buoys into the sea to track ocean current. In this visualization, they use the data from these buoys to show just how these garbage gyres form. 

Produced by Corey ProtinReporting by Kevin Loria.

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