Final answer:
The main driving force of ocean surface currents is winds. While the Coriolis effect and gyres play roles in the patterns and direction of these currents, it is the wind that primarily sets them in motion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main driving force of ocean surface currents is winds. Ocean currents are large-scale movements of seawater driven primarily by the wind. Surface winds blowing across the ocean produce friction that drags the water's surface layer into motion, creating currents. These patterns of flow are also influenced by the Coriolis effect, which is a result of Earth's rotation and affects the direction of the flow. While the Coriolis effect contributes to the rotation and general pattern of currents, it is not the primary driving force; rather, it modifies the direction and intensity of currents generated by winds. The term gyres refers to large systems of circular ocean currents formed by global wind patterns and forces induced by the Earth's rotation.