What is the significance of doldrums?
3 min read
Asked by: Tom Hartley
The “doldrums” is a popular nautical term that refers to the belt around the Earth near the equator where sailing ships sometimes get stuck on windless waters. This NASA satellite image shows the Inter-Tropical
Why are doldrums important?
The warm, moist air rises, and the cycle starts over. It is the rising of air at the doldrums, as opposed to the horizontal wind of the trade winds, that causes sailboats to get stuck. But the doldrums are important for another reason. The warm, moist air that rises creates lots of rain and thunderstorms.
What does doldrums mean in history?
a : a spell of listlessness or despondency : blues. b : a state of bafflement : quandary. 2 archaic : a sluggish or slow-witted person.
What are the effects of doldrums?
They affect the rainfall in many equatorial regions that cause a wet and dry season of the tropics rather than the cold and warm season of higher latitudes. In addition, the longer-term of doldrums can cause conditions like drought or flood in nearby areas.
What is an example of a doldrum?
Doldrums is defined as a gloomy feeling, low spirits or a time of inactivity. An example of doldrums is being stuck in the house during a week long snow storm. noun. A period of stagnation or slump.
What are doldrums Why are they called so class 9 ICSE?
Answer. The doldrums is a colloquial expression derived from historical maritime usage, which refers to those parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean affected by a low-pressure area around the equator where the prevailing winds are calm.
Why are the doldrums calm?
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ /ɪtʃ/ ITCH), known by sailors as the doldrums or the calms because of its monotonous windless weather, is the area where the northeast and the southeast trade winds converge. It encircles Earth near the thermal equator though its specific position varies seasonally.
Where did doldrums come from?
ETYMOLOGY: In the olden days when a sail-powered vessel hit a calm region of the ocean, it could be stuck there for days. Sailors called that area the doldrums. The word is from Old English dol (dull, stupid), the ending influenced by the word tantrum.
Where is the location of doldrums?
The Doldrums are located a little north of the equator, but the effects can be felt from 5 degrees north of the equator to 5 degrees south of it. The trade winds border the Doldrums both to the north and south. Then there are the prevailing westerlies in the higher latitudes and the polar easterlies near both poles.
Is doldrums a trade wind?
It’s a place for trade winds to meet other trade winds.
The Doldrums is also known as the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), because it’s where two sets of trade winds meet – and that’s why conditions can be so shifty.
How do ships get out of the doldrums?
The doldrums actually refer to the convergence of the trade winds near the Equator. This results in a shifting belt of dead calm to light breezes. The trade winds were named for their ability to quickly propel trading ships across the ocean.
