Buzz
Every day, we're surrounded by loud noises. Whether it's wincing at a dog's bark or covering your ears when walking past a construction site, these are our natural responses to protect ourselves from the overpowering sounds. The threshold of pain for humans is between 120-130 decibels. Any noise above 85 dB can cause permanent hearing damage, with the severity depending on both the intensity and duration of the exposure. Here are 10 of the loudest sounds in history and just how intense they are. Keep in mind that human speech registers only around 25-35 decibels.
10. Concert Sound Systems
A massive 400,000-watt rock concert setup, or a similar speaker system installed in a vehicle, can unleash ear-piercing decibel levels. No wonder many concert organizers suggest ear protection to shield you from sound waves that reach an alarming 135-145 decibels.
9. Howler Monkeys
Native to the rainforests of Central and South America, howler monkeys produce sounds that blend the intensity of an air-raid siren with the raw power of a heavy-metal guitar solo. These small creatures have a specialized hyoid bone in their throats that functions as a resonating chamber, amplifying their howls to a remarkable 140 decibels. Only the males engage in this vocalization, using it to mark their territory, warn other monkeys of their presence, and possibly to defend mates. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, their calls can be heard by humans up to 3 miles away.
Though not often heard at close range, fireworks can still pack an explosive punch in terms of sound. While the noise from the sky isn't typically harmful, when the fireworks burst, their decibel levels soar to an astonishing 145-150. Tests are even conducted in soundproof environments to prevent ear damage.
8. Gunshots
Gunfire, for anyone unlucky enough to be nearby, can cause significant damage to the ears, with sound levels reaching a painful 145-155 decibels. This is exactly why wearing ear protection is essential when at a shooting range.
7. NHRA Dragsters
Standing beside a dragster as it roars to life and races down the track is not just an overwhelming experience; the sound can be physically harmful. With noise levels reaching 155-160 decibels, the sound can not only cause severe and possibly permanent hearing damage, but it also shakes your vision and makes swallowing momentarily difficult. That’s why no one dares to stand close.
6. Space Shuttle Launch
When the space shuttle's rockets ignite, it's not just a suggestion but a strict rule to stay at least half a mile away to avoid being overwhelmed by 165-170 decibels of excruciating sound. Unlike many other loud noises, the roar of the shuttle's rockets remains consistent as they generate the immense thrust needed to launch it into space.
5. Blue Whale
Blue whales produce incredibly loud, highly organized, and repetitive low-frequency rumbling noises that can travel vast distances underwater. These vocalizations may serve to communicate with other blue whales, especially for mating purposes. Their calls reach an astonishing 188 decibels, and this powerful sound can be heard for hundreds of miles underwater. The blue whale holds the title of the loudest and largest animal on Earth.
4. Krakatoa Volcano
The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa unleashed more than 25 cubic kilometers of rock, ash, and pumice. It produced the loudest sound ever recorded, reaching 180 decibels. This catastrophic explosion was heard as far away as Perth, Australia, approximately 1,930 miles (3,110 km) away, and the island of Rodrigues near Mauritius, nearly 3,000 miles (5,000 km) distant.
3. Tunguska Meteor
The Tunguska event was a colossal explosion that occurred near the Podkamennaya (Under Rock) Tunguska River in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, at 7:40 AM on June 30, 1908. The blast was likely caused by the airburst of a large meteoroid or comet fragment, which detonated at an altitude of 5 to 10 kilometers (3–6 miles) above Earth’s surface. Its impact was equivalent to a 1,000-megaton bomb, with a decibel level ranging between 300-315. This event is often regarded as the loudest single event in history.
2. 5.0 Richter Scale Earthquake
An earthquake of sufficient magnitude to split the earth and obliterate buildings, rock, and human life reaches a decibel level of 235. If you are unfortunate enough to be at the epicenter and not airborne in a plane or helicopter, the overwhelming noise and vibrations could kill you before anything from the collapsing environment does.
1. 1-Ton TNT Bomb
If you are unfortunate enough to be standing just 250 feet from the explosion of a 1-ton bomb, the resulting detonation generates a deafening 210 decibels. Without proper ear protection, and certainly not without being sheltered in a soundproof, fortified bunker, the intense vibrations could literally tear your body apart. Of course, if you were directly beneath the bomb, it would be a different matter entirely.
+ Lake Taupo Eruption
Lake Taupo, situated in the center of New Zealand's North Island, is actually a massive caldera created by a cataclysmic volcanic eruption in 180 AD. This was New Zealand’s largest eruption in 20,000 years, expelling about 120 cubic kilometers of material, with 30 cubic kilometers ejected in mere minutes. The eruption column likely reached an astonishing height of 50 kilometers—double the height of the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980. The explosion’s sounds were so immense that they were reportedly heard in distant China, while the resulting ash cloud turned the skies red in both Rome and China. Today, Lake Taupo remains a prime tourist destination in New Zealand, offering breathtaking views and a chance for swimming. It’s the largest freshwater lake in Australasia and is roughly the same size as Singapore, making it a popular must-see attraction for visitors.
