The loudest sound in human history was the volcanic eruption of Krakatoa in 1883, producing an estimated 310 decibels heard in over 50 locations. It caused tsunamis, temperature drops and tinted sunsets globally. The sound wave circled the planet three and a half times for five days, never replicated since.
Vocabulary:
• Breathing: the process of taking in air and releasing it from the lungs
• Decibel: a unit used to measure the intensity of sound
• Logarithmically: in a manner that increases or decreases gradually in a series of steps that are proportional to the logarithm of a quantity
• Vacuum cleaner: an electrical appliance for cleaning carpets, floors, and other surfaces
• Blender: a kitchen appliance with rotating blades used for mixing, blending, or pureeing food
• Rupture: to break or burst suddenly
• Eardrums: the thin membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear and vibrates in response to sound waves
• Rocket launch: the takeoff of a rocket into space
• Sound waves: vibrations in the air that can be perceived by the ear as sound
• Shock waves: a type of sound wave that is characterized by a sudden increase in pressure and can cause destruction
• Sunsets: the daily disappearance of the sun below the horizon
Source: Great Big Story