The Doldrums, also known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), is a region around the Earth's equator characterized by light winds, high humidity, and convective activity. It is located between the two belts of trade winds, and it is where the northeast and southeast trade winds converge. The Doldrums region is notorious among sailors for the calm, unpredictable winds and sudden storms that can leave ships stranded for days or even weeks.
The belt of Doldrums is a relatively narrow band of the Earth's surface, ranging from about 5 degrees north to 5 degrees south of the equator. This region is not static, and its location can vary depending on the time of year and other atmospheric and oceanic conditions. The movement of the Doldrums is influenced by the position of the sun, which causes the ITCZ to shift northward during the northern hemisphere's summer and southward during the southern hemisphere's summer.
The belt of Doldrums stretches across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. In the Atlantic Ocean, the Doldrums region is often referred to as the "Horse Latitudes," and it is located roughly between 5 degrees north and 30 degrees south. The Horse Latitudes get their name from the historical practice of European ships carrying horses to the Americas, which were often thrown overboard when food and water supplies ran low.
In the Pacific Ocean, the Doldrums region is broader and extends further west than in the Atlantic, ranging from about 5 degrees north to 15 degrees south of the equator. The Doldrums in the Pacific Ocean are also known as the "Equatorial Calms," and they are known for their frequent thunderstorms and lightning.
In the Indian Ocean, the Doldrums region is narrower than in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and is located primarily between 5 degrees north and 10 degrees south of the equator. The Doldrums in the Indian Ocean are characterized by weak winds and calms, but they are less prone to thunderstorms than the Pacific and Atlantic Doldrums.
