The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a large area in the central North Pacific Ocean where marine debris, primarily plastic, accumulates due to ocean currents. It is not a solid mass but rather a dispersed collection of tiny plastic particles and larger debris, making it difficult to see from above. This patch is part of the larger system of oceanic gyres, where currents converge and trap waste. It poses significant threats to marine life, as animals can ingest or become entangled in the debris, leading to injury or death. Efforts are ongoing to address this environmental issue and reduce plastic pollution in the oceans.