The doldrums is a nautical term referring to the belt around the Earth near the equator where sailing ships sometimes get stuck on windless waters. Also known as the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) this area extends approximately 5 degrees north and south of the equator where the prevailing trade winds of the northern hemisphere blow to the southwest and collide with the the southern hemisphere’s northwest trade winds. Due to intense solar heating near the equator, the warm, moist air is forced up into the atmosphere like a hot air balloon. As the air rises, it cools, causing persistent bands of showers and storms around the Earth’s midsection. The rising air mass finally subsides in what is known as the horse latitudes, where the air moves downward toward Earth’s surface. Because the air circulates in an upward direction, there is often little surface wind in the ITCZ. That is why sailors well know that the area can becalm sailing ships for weeks. And that’s why they call it the doldrums.
In the doldrums can also refer to a state of low spirits, boredom, or inactivity and often used metaphorically to describe a period of stagnation or lack of progress.
During our cruise across the Indian Ocean from Singapore to Cape Town on Cunard’s M.S. Queen Anne we passed through the doldrums where the ocean was surprisingly calm like glass creating a rather eerie atmosphere.
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Passionate Photographer …. Lost in Asia
Stuart Taylor of HighlanderImages Photography has been making images for over 40 years focusing on Asia with a documentary/photojournalistic style.
Stuart is available for a variety of assignments in subject areas of photojournalism, commercial, architectural, real estate, industrial, interior design, corporate, urbex, adventure, wilderness, and travel.
E-Mail : staylor@highlanderimages.com