The goal of this research project is to determine the fractal nature, if any, which surface water waves exhibit when viewed on a microscopic scale. Due to the relatively recent development of this area of mathematics, a brief introduction to the study of fractal geometry, as well as several examples of fractals, are included in this paper. From that point, this paper addresses the specific situation of a surface wave as it nears the breaking point and attempts to detect the fractal structure of a wave at this given point when viewed on a microscopic scale. This is done from both a physical standpoint based on observations at the Hinsdale Wave Facility at Oregon State University and at Cape Perpetua, Oregon on the Pacific Coast, and from a theoretical standpoint based on a spring model. / Graduation date: 1992

published_or_final_version / Mechanical Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy