This is an area near the
equator where winds can be very
erratic with long periods of
calm. This is where the northeast and southeast
trade winds meet. These air masses rise as they are heated by the
sun, so there is little
wind moving along the planet
surface.
Ships that
sailed by wind were usually
stranded here, hence the
connotation of the term used when people's lives are
stagnant.
Tropical storms often form in this region due to the low
air pressure, and high
dew point.
ASCII Art diagram:
air mass air mass
SE trade wind __-^-__ NE trade wind
---------> ____--' `--____ <---------
---' doldrums `---- surface
|
|
|
|
| <-- equator