Types of Breakers

 

 

Waves break in a zone near the shoreline called the surf zone. As the wind approaches the shore, the bottom energy of the wave makes contact with the slope of the shoreline and loses energy as the top or the crest of the wave maintains its energy and eventually topples over, causing it to break.

The slope of the shoreline within the surf zone determines which type of breaker forms. A spilling breaker just crumbles. A plunging breaker creates a hollow wave. A surging breaker loses no energy and can cause damage once it comes in contact with the shore.