This paper summarizes the updated progress of our understanding on the wave breaking and turbulence in surf zones. Observation techniques for describing and quantifying the physical process of wave breaking and turbulence in surf zones are presented. Discussions on the evolution of kinematics (such as flow structure, streamline topography, and vorticity) and the evolution of turbulent properties (such as turbulent kinetic energy, Reynolds stress, and transport and dissipation of turbulence) under breaking waves in surf zones are both summarized. Finally, we present some challenges and recommend some future works to improve our understanding on wave breaking and turbulence in surf zones.

surf zone, wave breaking, turbulence.