What primarily causes most surface waves in water?

Winds are the primary cause of most surface waves in water. When the wind blows over the surface of a body of water, it transfers energy to the water, creating ripples and, as the wind continues, larger waves. The strength and duration of the wind, as well as the distance over which it blows, known as fetch, influence the size and energy of the waves generated.

While gravity does play a role in wave formation by acting on the surface of the water and returning the water to equilibrium after being disturbed, it is not the initiating force for most surface waves. Gravity does contribute to the behavior of the waves once they are formed, such as bringing them back down after a crest, but it is not the triggering factor for their initial creation.

Underwater currents can affect water movement and contribute to the dynamics of wave behavior, but they are not the primary cause of surface waves. Similarly, seismic activity can generate waves, known as tsunamis, but these are distinct and occur less frequently compared to the everyday waves caused by wind.