What are the doldrums and horse latitudes?

Answer 1

I see that no one has answered your question yet.... im actually doing hw and i have the same question. But mine is multiple choice so maybe this will help.

They are bothe regions of

• high air pressure
• light winds
• heavy rains
• low temperatures

hey guys!

Answer 2

The doldrums is a colloquial expression derived from historical maritime usage, in which it refers to those parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean affected by the Intertropical Convergence Zone, a low-pressure area around the equator where the prevailing winds are calm. The low pressure is caused by the heat at the equator, which makes the air rise and travel north and south high in the atmosphere, until it subsides again in the horse latitudes. Some of that air returns to the doldrums through the trade winds. This process can lead to light or variable winds and more severe weather, in the form of squalls, thunderstorms and hurricanes. The doldrums are also noted for calm periods when the winds disappear altogether, trapping sail-powered boats for periods of days or weeks. The term appears to have arisen in the 18th century - when cross-Equator sailing voyages became more common. Horse Latitudes or Subtropical High are subtropical latitudes between 30 and 35 degrees both north and south. This region, under a ridge of high pressure called the subtropical high, is an area which receives little precipitation and has variable winds mixed with calm. The horse latitudes are associated with the subtropical anticyclone and the large-scale descent of air from high-altitude currents moving toward the poles. After reaching the earth's surface, this air spreads toward the equator as part of the prevailing trade winds or toward the poles as part of the westerlies. The belt in the Northern Hemisphere is sometimes called the "calms of Cancer" and that in the Southern Hemisphere the "calms of Capricorn".

Answer 3

Doldrums are the imaginary regions extending up to 15 Deg Northward and 10 Deg Southward from the Equator. The Equator is 0 Deg Latitude. Hence the Doldrum region is commonly referred to as the region between 15 Deg North & 10 Deg South Latitudes. Doldrums are regions of Low Pressure, as they are more close to the Equator, where the Sun's vertical rays fall directly. Hence the air envelope around the Equator gets heated and rises vertically upwards (air current), there by creating a Low pressure region around the Equator, extending up to the Doldrums.

Horse Latitudes are imaginary regions on 30 Deg North & 30 Deg South Latitudes. These are regions of High Pressures, and hence also called Sub-Tropical High Pressure Belts. It got the name "Horse" latitudes because, the sailors in ancient times (when boats were of the Mast-type, which gets carried along the wind direction) emptied the Horses they were carrying on board to the sea, so as to reduce the weight of the vessel and to keep it afloat )along the direction of the Trade winds). The winds blowing in the region between the Horse latitude & the Doldrum is called Trade Winds.

Answer 4

No it's not