Possible Japan tsunami debris washes up in Santa Cruz

Matt Lovemark was sitting next to a large driftwood log on the beach in Santa Cruz when he noticed something unusual about his perch.

Lovemark, who is by trade a timber framer, saw joints in the log and knew it was a style that is distinctly Japanese. He contacted some experts in Japan who helped validate his theory: This massive log probably slowly floated for over four years across the Pacific Ocean.

Lovemark and experts believe that the cedar post may be from a temple or a farm house that was destroyed by the massive 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that struck the Sendai region of Japan. Nearly 16,000 people died, although 2,600 people are still officially listed as missing.

The incredible piece of timber is being preserved so it can possibly be sent back to Japan where there is interest in using it to build a religious temple.

http://blog.sfgate.com/stew/2015/03/05/possible-japan-tsunami-debris-washes-up-santa-cruz/