What type of current results when waves approach the shore at an angle?

When waves approach the shore at an angle, they create a longshore current. This phenomenon occurs due to the swash and backwash of waves. As waves break at an angle to the shore, they push water and sediment laterally along the coastline, generating a current that moves parallel to the shore. This movement can transport sand, affecting beach shape and ecosystem dynamics.

In contrast, rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of water that flow away from the shore, typically forming where waves break at different angles, causing a concentrated outflow of water. Upwelling refers to the movement of deep, cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface, usually occurring in areas of divergence, rather than in relation to wave direction. Tidal currents are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun, leading to variations in water flow during tidal changes, which is separate from wave action. Thus, longshore currents are specifically tied to the angles at which waves approach the shore, making it the correct choice in this context.