Final answer:
Surface currents are primarily caused by the wind, with atmospheric patterns and the Earth's rotation also playing a significant role in their formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Surface currents in the ocean are primarily caused by the wind - Option B. These currents are the horizontal, upper layer movements of water that are created by the friction of the wind across the surface of the ocean. The patterns of flow in both the atmosphere and the oceans are affected by the rotational movement of the Earth, known as the Coriolis effect, which together with the unequal heating of large masses of air, help to distribute heat more evenly across the planet. An example of significant weather patterns influenced by ocean currents is the El Nino event, which originates in the Pacific Ocean and can lead to extreme weather conditions globally.