PADI Divemaster Certification Practice Exam

What type of wave can surge ashore unbroken due to a steep beach?

1. Spilling breaker

2. Plunging breaker

3. Surging breaker

4. Flat breaker

The correct answer is: Surging breaker

A surging breaker is a type of wave that is characterized by its ability to surge ashore without breaking, particularly due to the steepness of the beach. When waves approach a steep beach, they maintain their form and can rise up the slope rather than crashing down violently. This phenomenon occurs because the water's energy is directed upward rather than outward, resulting in minimal disturbance on the surface. Surging breakers are prevalent in areas where the seafloor rises quickly, leading to a rapid increase in wave height without the typical breaking that happens in more gradual beach profiles. The steep incline allows the waves to maintain their momentum and surge up the slope, providing a unique interaction between the ocean and the shoreline. In contrast, spilling breakers typically occur on gentler slopes where waves break gradually, releasing their energy over a longer distance. Plunging breakers occur on steeper beaches but often involve a more pronounced break as the wave curls over. Flat breakers, while less commonly referenced, would imply minimal wave activity and are not characteristic of significant wave action, making them less relevant in this context.