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breaker A wave which breaks, either because it becomes unstable when it reaches shallow water, the crest toppling over or "breaking" or because it dashes against an obstacle. Instability is caused by an increase in wave height and a decrease in the speed of the trough of the wave in shallow water. The momentum of the crest, often aided by the wind, causes the upper part of the wave to move forward faster than the lower part. The crest of a wave which becomes unstable in deep water and topples over or "breaks" is called a whitecap.

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