Which term describes a breaking wave where the crest slides down the front face of the wave?

Which term describes a breaking wave where the crest slides down the front face of the wave?

• A. Surf
• B. Plunging Wave
• C. Spilling Wave
• D. Breaker Wave

Answer: (C)

A spilling wave occurs when the crest becomes unstable and slides forward down the front face of the wave. This happens on broad, gently sloping beaches, where the wave loses energy gradually as the crest spills down the face, creating white water along the slope. It breaks more softly and over a longer distance than other types. In contrast, a plunging wave curls over and crashes into a hollow tube, and a surging/breaker wave surges onto the shore without a pronounced curling crest. Because the description specifies the crest sliding down the front face, the term is spilling wave.

A spilling wave occurs when the crest becomes unstable and slides forward down the front face of the wave. This happens on broad, gently sloping beaches, where the wave loses energy gradually as the crest spills down the face, creating white water along the slope. It breaks more softly and over a longer distance than other types. In contrast, a plunging wave curls over and crashes into a hollow tube, and a surging/breaker wave surges onto the shore without a pronounced curling crest. Because the description specifies the crest sliding down the front face, the term is spilling wave.