a combination of factors, including wind patterns, temperature differences, and the rotation of the earth. The heating and cooling of different areas of the ocean surface cause water to move, with warmer water typically rising and cooler water sinking. Wind patterns can then push the water in certain directions, creating currents. The rotation of the earth also plays a role, with the Coriolis effect causing water to be deflected to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere. These various factors interact to create the complex system of ocean currents that circulate throughout the global oceans.
