Wave breaking in the Ostrovsky--Hunter equation

The Ostrovsky--Hunter equation governs evolution of shallow water waves on a rotating fluid in the limit of small high-frequency dispersion. Sufficient conditions for the wave breaking in the Ostrovsky--Hunter equation are found both on an infinite line and in a periodic domain. Using the method of characteristics, we also specify the blow-up rate at which the waves break. Numerical illustrations of the finite-time wave breaking are given in a periodic domain.