Anatomy of a wave

Waves are most destructive during storm conditions. They exhibit a chaotic pattern at that time, with smaller waves being superimposed over larger waves. The destruction caused by combined effect of those waves is very huge. When these waves approach shallow areas near the coast, they experience rapid reduction in speed. The result is curling of the crest and eventual breaking of the wave. The zone of breaking of waves is called the surf zone. When a wave breaks, the water from it runs up the beach. This is called the swash. The movement of water back down the beach to the sea is called the backwash.