The Krakatoa Eruption: The Loudest Sound Ever Recorded

Krakatoa is surrounded by mountains and greenery and it is truly one of the most breathtaking sights one will ever witness. But what exactly happened there? Something that left its mark on the world was the Krakatoa volcanic eruption, the loudest sound ever recorded in the world and has reverberated throughout history. 

It is an island that lies nestled in the uproarious embrace of the Sunda Strait, a narrow corridor of sea that is split between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra. This catastrophic explosion was so powerful that it’s shockwaves were felt across continents, and its thunderous roar was heard thousands of miles away. 

As someone who is always hungry to learn about new events, this particular event caught my attention. The sheer scale and impact of this event made me question the gentleness of nature. The visuals of this dramatic eruption awakened a sense of awe and fear inside me which made me do extensive research on this and how it sent shock waves to people all over the world. 

How Is Sound (Noise) Measured? 

Sound is measured using a combination of special instruments and tools. Here are five instruments that are mainly used to measure sounds:

• Decibels (dB): A decibel is how you measure the intensity of a sound. It’s measured based on how natura human beings can hear. For example, when someone says the grinder is too loud, they are referring to the decibel of the grinder, which can be anywhere around 85-90 dB.
• Frequency: The pitch of the sound is called frequency, which is measured using Hertz (Hz). Lower frequency will produce lower Hz and higher and deeper tones of frequency will produce higher Hz. According to studies, a human with normal hearing abilities can detect from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. 
• Sound Pressure Level (SPL): Sound Pressure Level (SPL) measures how loud a sound is compared to a very quiet reference sound, which is about 20 micropascals in air. This is the faintest of sounds that humans can hear.
• Sound level meters: Sound level meters measure how loud a sound is. Plus, it can analyze the different pitches of the sound. They give precise readings of background noise and are used for things like checking noise levels in workplaces or studying environmental effects.
• Waveform analysis: Waveform analysis represents the sound in a waveform. It is shown on special devices like oscilloscopes or sound analyzers and it tells us how loud a sound is. This analysis is used in the telecommunication industry to check whether the signal has clarity or not.

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What Is The Loudest Sound Ever Recorded?

The loudest sound ever recorded in the world by humans sent shock waves globally. In May 1883 in Krakatoa, a volcanic eruption took place. The explosion was so powerful that it reached an estimated 180-200 decibels. 

This is the most intense sound ever documented on Earth. Also, the eruption’s shockwaves were heard thousands of miles away across many different continents. In addition to that, did you know that this eruption also influenced weather patterns and caused significant atmospheric effects?

The most heartbreaking thing about this event is that it resulted in 36,417 deaths. Most of them died due to the massive tsunamis that erupted after the volcanic explosion. 

Can A Loud Sound Cause Hearing Loss? 

According to studies, yes. Loud sounds can cause hearing loss in people. This condition is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). You might become a victim of NIHL if you keep exposing yourself to sounds over 85 dB for extended periods of time. The loud sounds can damage the hair cells in the inner ear, leading to noise-induced hearing loss.

To give you an example, hearing sudden and extremely loud noises like gunshots or explosions can cause immediate and severe hearing damage. That’s why it is important to use hearing protection in noisy environments to prevent such damage. 

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How To Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss? 

If you are blessed with good hearing, consider yourself lucky because it took me hearing loss in one ear to realize that we’ve taken the simple pleasures of life lightly. Listed below are a few ways you can prevent noise-induced hearing loss according to studies:

• Wear earplugs or earmuffs when you go to a noisy environment like a concert, a construction site, or a movie theater
• Reduce the amount of time you spend in a loud environment 
• When listening to music or using headphones, keep the volume at a moderate level
• Get your hearing tested regularly to monitor and address any changes early

Conclusion 

The Krakatoa volcanic eruption of 1883 serves as a stark reminder of nature’s immense power and its ability to deeply affect both the planet and human history. It’s a lesson for us to not take Mother Nature for granted.