Elliot Kim
The loudest sound ever reported was the volcanic eruption of Krakatoa, Indonesia, in 1883. The sound was heard 3,000 miles away and registered a sound pressure level spike of 8.5 kPa, equivalent to 172 decibels. The explosion caused two-thirds of the island to collapse and formed tsunami waves as high as 46 meters (151 feet). The sound pressure wave travelled the globe seven times in total over the following five days. Other loud sounds include the first stage of the Saturn V rocket (204 decibels), a 5.0 Richter earthquake (235 decibels), and the Tunguska Meteor explosion in Russia (300-315 decibels).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 27 August 1883 |
| Location | Krakatoa, Indonesia |
| Nature of the sound | Volcanic eruption |
| Highest reported decibels | 310 dB |
| Lowest reported decibels | 172 dB |
| Other reported decibels | 180 dB, 194 dB |
| Deaths | 30,000+ |
| Effect | Two-thirds of the island collapsed, tsunami waves as high as 46 m (151 ft), shockwaves around the world |
| Distance travelled | 4,800 km (3,000 miles) |
| How it sounded | Cannon fire from a nearby ship |
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What You'll Learn
The 1883 volcanic eruption of Krakatoa
The eruption was heard 3,110 kilometres (1,930 miles) away in Perth, Western Australia, and Rodrigues near Mauritius, 4,800 kilometres (3,000 miles) away. People on the island of Rodrigues, 3,000 miles away, described the sound as "cannon fire from a nearby ship". The Batavia gasworks (North Jakarta), 160 kilometres (99 miles) away from the source, registered a sound pressure level spike of more than 2½ inches of mercury (8.5 kPa), equivalent to 172 decibels. The sound was so loud that, five days after the explosion, air pressure meters (barometers) worldwide were still registering pressure spikes.
The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa is considered one of the deadliest and most destructive volcanic events in recorded history. The explosion caused two-thirds of the island to collapse and formed tsunami waves as high as 46 metres (151 feet), rocking ships as far away as South Africa. The combination of pyroclastic flows, volcanic ash, and tsunamis associated with the eruption had disastrous regional consequences. At least 36,417 deaths are attributed to the eruption and the tsunamis it created. Significant additional effects were felt worldwide in the days and weeks after the eruption.
The eruption injected a large amount of sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas into the stratosphere, transported by high-level winds worldwide. This led to a global increase in sulfuric acid (H2SO4) concentration in high-level cirrus clouds, increasing cloud reflectivity (or albedo) and reflecting more incoming light from the sun, cooling the entire planet by an average of 0.4 to 0.6°C for months. The sky was darkened worldwide for years, and the moon appeared blue at night. The ash caused vivid red sunsets, and the phenomenon of a purple light at twilight was observed and labelled the ""equatorial smoke stream", later identified as the jet stream.
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The Big Bang
On 27 August 1883, the Indonesian island of Krakatoa experienced a volcanic eruption, which produced the loudest sound ever recorded on the surface of the planet. The sound was estimated to have reached 310 decibels (dB) and resulted in the death of more than 30,000 people. The eruption caused two-thirds of the island to collapse and formed tsunami waves as high as 46 meters (151 feet), rocking ships as far away as South Africa. The sound pressure wave from the eruption travelled around the globe multiple times, with spikes in atmospheric pressure recorded in England, Canada, Russia, and North Jakarta.
The Krakatoa eruption was incredibly loud, with reports of people hearing the sound thousands of miles away. The sound was so powerful that it is said to have circled the Earth multiple times before dissipating. In comparison, everyday sounds like motorcycles, lawnmowers, and earphones can also contribute to noise-induced hearing loss if exposed to them for prolonged periods.
While the Big Bang is theorized to be the loudest sound in the known universe, it is important to note that it occurred before the existence of the Earth and the human ear. Therefore, the Krakatoa eruption holds the distinction of being the loudest sound ever experienced by human ears.
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The Sun
However, even our dazzling Sun pales in comparison to the mighty Krakatoa volcano. On a fateful day in 1883, this Indonesian volcano erupted with a thunderous fury, unleashing a sound estimated at a staggering 310 decibels. The explosion was so powerful that it caused two-thirds of the island to collapse, forming tsunami waves as high as 46 metres (151 feet) that rocked ships as far away as South Africa.
The Krakatoa eruption's sound pressure wave travelled the globe, wrapping around the Earth an incredible four times. The sound was so intense that it was heard 3,000 miles away, with people describing it as "cannon fire from a nearby ship". Even five days after the eruption, air pressure meters worldwide continued to register pressure spikes.
The sheer volume of the Krakatoa eruption was not just deafening but also deadly. The shockwave from the blast was akin to a sonic boom, with unfathomable consequences for those unfortunate enough to be nearby. The exact death toll may never be known, but it is estimated that more than 30,000 people perished in this catastrophic event.
While the Sun may not lay claim to the title of the loudest sound in the universe, it remains an awe-inspiring celestial body. Its radiant light and immense energy continue to captivate and sustain life on Earth, reminding us of the Sun's pivotal role in our solar system, even if it doesn't hold the loudest voice.
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The Vredefort impact
The asteroid that struck Vredefort is estimated to have been one of the largest ever to hit Earth, with a diameter of between 10 and 15 kilometres (6.2 to 9.3 miles). The impact created a crater with a diameter of at least 170 kilometres (110 miles), affecting the structure of the surrounding rock in a circular region up to 300 kilometres (190 miles) in diameter. The landscape has since been eroded, making it difficult to determine the exact size of the original crater. However, some estimates place the original diameter closer to 300 kilometres (190 miles).
The force of the impact was so powerful that it distorted the underlying rock, forming concentric rings that are still visible today. The uplift at the centre of the impact was incredibly strong, turning a 25-kilometre section of the Earth's crust on its end. The various layers of upturned rock eroded at different rates, creating the distinctive pattern observed in the Vredefort Dome, which measures about 90 kilometres across.
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The 2022 volcanic explosion of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai
The 2022 volcanic explosion of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haapai was a significant event that highlighted the destructive power of nature. This eruption, which began in December 2021 and culminated in a powerful climax on January 15, 2022, showcased the sheer might of geological forces. The volcano, located in the Tongan archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean, is a submarine volcano that rises approximately 2,000 meters from the seafloor.
The 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haapai was a massive and violent event. It produced a series of four underwater thrusts, displacing an enormous volume of rock, ash, and sediment. The eruption was so powerful that it generated the largest atmospheric explosion recorded by modern instrumentation. The energy released was estimated to be equivalent to 61 megatons of TNT, surpassing the largest nuclear bomb ever detonated. The explosion shattered windows and damaged property near the volcano.
The volcanic explosion triggered a tsunami that caused widespread devastation. Tsunami waves up to 20 meters (66 feet) high struck Tonga, leading to fatalities and injuries. The tsunami also reached the coasts of Japan, the Americas, and Peru, causing deaths and injuries in these regions as well. The volcanic plume soared to a remarkable height of 58 kilometers (36 miles) into the mesosphere, dispersing volcanic ash and gases over a vast area.
The eruption of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haapai had significant impacts on the climate system. Unlike typical volcanic eruptions that inject large amounts of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere, this eruption was characterized by the release of substantial quantities of water vapor. Acting as a greenhouse gas, the water vapor overrode the usual aerosol effect, resulting in a net warming of the climate system. Studies estimated an increased probability of global warming exceeding 1.5 °C in the following years.
The 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haapai stands as a testament to the raw power of nature. It provided a unique opportunity for scientists to study and improve their understanding of volcanic eruptions and tsunamis, particularly in the Pacific Ocean. By integrating theoretical, observational, field, and modelling techniques, researchers aim to enhance volcanic tsunami hazard assessments across Oceania and beyond.
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Frequently asked questions
The loudest sound ever produced on the surface of the planet was the 1883 eruption of the Krakatoa volcano in Indonesia. The sound reached 194 decibels, which is powerful enough to rupture eardrums.
The sound of the eruption travelled at least 3,000 miles, with people on the island of Rodrigues describing the sound as "cannon fire from a nearby ship".
The eruption caused two-thirds of the island to collapse, formed tsunami waves as high as 46m (151 ft), and resulted in the deaths of over 30,000 people.
In 2022, the volcanic explosion of the island of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai produced the world's most intense sounds in 139 years, second only to the Krakatoa eruption. NASA has also recorded sounds reaching 204 decibels during the first stage of the Saturn V rocket launch.
The Big Bang was probably the loudest sound in the known universe.
