What causes ocean currents to form?

Ocean currents form due to the combined effects of wind, Earth’s rotation, temperature differences, and salinity. Surface currents, like the Gulf Stream, are driven by prevailing winds and the Coriolis effect, which deflects moving water due to Earth’s rotation. Deep ocean currents, or thermohaline circulation, are caused by differences in water density, which depend on temperature and salinity. These currents play a vital role in regulating Earth’s climate by distributing heat and nutrients across the globe.