Final answer:
Deep water currents are also known as abyssal currents and are part of the abyssal zone of the ocean. They flow slowly due to differences in water density, contributing to ocean upwelling which brings nutrient-rich water to the surface.
Step-by-step explanation:
Another name for deep water currents is the abyssal currents. These currents are driven by differences in water density, which are typically caused by variations in temperature and salinity. The term 'abyssal' is derived from the Greek word meaning 'bottomless' and signifies the deep regions of the ocean, particularly those beyond 2000 meters where the abyssal zone begins. The deep ocean is characterized by being very low energy with mainly clay sediments, which can also contain turbidite deposits of varying sediment sizes.
Deep water currents such as abyssal currents differ from surface currents in several ways. They are larger in scale, but move slower, about a factor of ten slower than wind. Despite their slow movement, due to the high density of water, ocean currents can be comparable to wind in terms of power per rotor area. Moreover, the movement of these deep ocean waters is associated with phenomena such as ocean upwelling, where colder, nutrient-rich water from the depths is brought to the surface near coastlines.