What causes ocean currents to circulate globally?

Global ocean currents circulate due to a combination of wind patterns, Earth’s rotation, and differences in water temperature and salinity. Warm water near the equator flows toward the poles, while cold, denser water sinks and moves toward the equator. This process, called thermohaline circulation, drives the global conveyor belt. Wind-driven surface currents, like the Gulf Stream, interact with deep currents to distribute heat, regulate climate, and transport nutrients across the oceans.