What is the primary force that drives ocean currents?

The primary force that drives ocean currents is primarily attributed to wind patterns. Winds blowing over the surface of the ocean create frictional drag, which sets the water in motion. These surface winds are influenced by the Earth's rotation, the distribution of land and ocean, and the uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun, which ultimately shapes patterns of circulation in the atmosphere and the ocean. As the wind continues to blow, it establishes the direction and strength of these currents, contributing to the larger global conveyor belt of ocean circulation.

Other forces, such as the moon's gravity, do play a role in ocean tides, and temperature differences also contribute to density gradients in the water, affecting current behavior, but it is the wind that is the initial and most direct force influencing the surface currents of the ocean.