What is the primary driver of ocean currents?

The primary driver of ocean currents is wind. Wind generates surface currents through the transfer of energy to the water surface. As wind blows across the ocean, it creates friction which pushes the water in the direction of the wind. This movement initiates surface currents, which can travel vast distances and significantly influence climate and weather patterns.

While temperature, salinity, and Earth's rotation do play important roles in ocean dynamics, they primarily affect the characteristics and structure of currents rather than serve as the primary initiators. Temperature and salinity contribute to density differences in ocean water, which create thermohaline circulation, but wind remains the initial driving force for the majority of ocean currents. Earth's rotation contributes through the Coriolis effect, influencing the direction of currents but does not initiate them. Therefore, wind is recognized as the primary driver of ocean currents.