How do you wave change as they approach the shore?

Waves change as they approach the shore due to the interaction with the ocean floor. As waves enter shallower water, their speed decreases, causing the wave height to increase and the wavelength to shorten. This process often leads to the characteristic breaking of waves, where the crest topples over as it becomes too steep. Factors like the angle of the shoreline and underwater topography also influence how waves behave near the shore.