Final answer:
Westward intensification of ocean currents is primarily caused by the Coriolis effect due to Earth's rotation, along with the configuration of continents, and variations in water temperature and salinity.
Step-by-step explanation:
A primary factor for westward intensification of currents is the Coriolis effect which is a result of the Earth's rotation. This effect causes water to move to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere, leading to stronger currents on the western sides of ocean basins.
Additional factors include the configuration of the continents which can block the flow of currents and redirect them, and variations in water temperature and salinity, which affect water density and flow patterns.
The phenomenon of El Niño is an example of how changes in ocean currents can have a significant impact on global weather patterns, causing extreme weather in some regions due to shifts in the warm ocean currents off the west coast of South America.
Similarly, ocean upwelling is an instance where prevailing winds blow along surface waters near a coastline, causing the rising of deep, cooler, and nutrient-rich waters, which can affect marine life and local climates.
Overall, the intensification of ocean currents has implications for weather patterns, marine ecosystems, and global climate, including increases in global average air and ocean temperatures and intensity of precipitation events.