longshore current

geology

Also known as: longshore drift

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

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A longshore current is a current that flows parallel to the shore, within the zone of breaking waves. It is generated when waves approach the coast at an angle, causing them to refract and create this alongshore movement of water. The speed of a longshore current depends on wave size and approach angle, ranging from about 10–30 centimeters per second under calm conditions to over one meter per second during storms. These currents, along with wave action, are significant in transporting large amounts of sediment along the shoreline. The direction of the longshore current is determined by the wind direction, which dictates the direction of wave approach.1

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mineral deposit
Beach placers
…flow of water, called a longshore drift, occurs parallel to the beach. Such a current can produce a beach placer. Beach placers are a major source of ilmenite, rutile, monazite, and zircon. They have been extensively mined in India, Australia, Alaska (U.S.), and Brazil.
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…flow of water, called a longshore drift, occurs parallel to the beach. Such a current can produce a beach placer. Beach placers are a major source of ilmenite, rutile, monazite, and zircon. They have been extensively mined in India, Australia, Alaska (U.S.), and Brazil.
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coastal landforms
Longshore currents
…a current is called a longshore current, and it extends from the shoreline out through the zone of breaking waves. The speed of the current is related to the size of the waves and to their angle of approach. Under rather quiescent conditions, longshore currents move only about 10–30 centimetres…
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…a current is called a longshore current, and it extends from the shoreline out through the zone of breaking waves. The speed of the current is related to the size of the waves and to their angle of approach. Under rather quiescent conditions, longshore currents move only about 10–30 centimetres…
Read More