Ocean currents are generated in many ways. Sometimes it is due to water piling up along a coastline causing a slightly higher sea level then in the surrounding ocean, when water builds up gravity forces it back forming a current. Variation in the density of of seawater also causes ocean currents, especially in deeper zones of water under the surface. This density difference can arise from temperature difference or from salinity differences. Chilled water will sink and move toward the equator, and saltier water being more dense also sinks giving way to a surface current of lower salinity. The leading generator of current is the frictional drag of the surface waters by wind forces. Frictional drag transfers kinetic energy, the energy of movement, form the air to the water.
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