The development and persistence of doldrums over the Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

Marine heatwaves and coral bleaching pose significant threats to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), particularly during austral summer when atmospheric conditions can significantly enhance ocean surface warming. One such condition is the development of doldrums, characterised by weak winds and reduced cloud cover, which promote increased solar heating of the ocean surface. When these conditions persist, this buildup of heat can develop into marine heatwaves contributing to widespread coral bleaching. Despite these impacts, the formation and persistence of the doldrums remain poorly understood. Here, we identify doldrums events over the GBR through a K -mean..