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 in the surf zone is relatively shallow, depending on the height and period of the waves.

The animals that often are found living in the surf zone are crabs, clams, and snails.

The mole crab is a suspension feeder that eats by capturing zooplankton with its antennae.

All of these creatures burrow down into the sand to escape from being pulled into the ocean from the tides and waves.