Which description matches a plunging breaker?

• A. Gentle slope, wave spills down front
• B. Steep slope, crest curls, strong impact
• C. Oscillation of water in enclosed basin
• D. Very steep slope, wave surges up beach

Answer: (B)

Plunging breakers occur when the beach is fairly steep, causing the wave crest to curl over and then plunge downward with a sharp, powerful impact. That curling crest and the heavy lip collapsing into the face are the hallmark of plunging waves, which is why the description “steep slope, crest curls, strong impact” fits perfectly. On a gentler slope, waves spill down the front instead of curling, which is a spilling breaker. An enclosed basin would just have water oscillation rather than a breaking wave, and a very steep slope with the wave surging up the beach describes a surging breaker without the curling crest.