Surf zone

As ocean surface waves come closer to shore they break, forming the foamy, bubbly surface we call surf. The region of breaking waves defines the surf zone. After breaking in the surf zone, the waves (now reduced in height) continue to move in, and they run up onto the sloping front of the beach, forming an uprush of water called swash. The water then runs back again as backwash.

See also

• Intertidal zone
• Littoral zone
• Surf fishing

References

• Pinet, Paul R (2008) Invitation to Oceanography, Chapter 11: The Dynamic Shoreline. Edition 5 revised. Jones & Bartlett Learning, ISBN 0763759937