Final answer:
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is mostly composed of small pieces of plastic that are difficult to detect from space. It is not a solid mass but a dispersed collection of debris that constantly moves and changes. More specialized techniques are needed to accurately measure its extent.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the author, there are no satellite images of the GPGP because the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is mostly made up of tiny pieces of plastic that are difficult to detect from space. Satellite images are typically taken from a significant distance, and the size and composition of the GPGP make it challenging to identify using this method.
Additionally, the GPGP is not a solid mass of floating trash but rather a collection of dispersed debris spread out over a large area. The garbage is constantly moving and changing, making it harder to capture in a single satellite image. The dynamic nature of the GPGP requires more specialized techniques such as aerial surveys and research vessel expeditions to quantify its extent.