The loudest sounds in the world

The human ear was designed to hear sounds up to 85 decibels (dB) before hearing loss occurs. Anything above 120 to 130 dB results in pain.

Imagine, however, a sound so loud that it generated a decibel rating of more than 300. That would be the Tunguska meteor, a massive explosion that occurred near the Podkamennaya  Tunguska River in what is now Krasnoyarsk Krai of Russia, at 7:40 AM on June 30, 1908. Scientists believe it was caused by the air burst of the meteor 3-6 miles above the earth, and determined it to be the loudest noise ever, according to listverse.com.

Next loudest is an earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale, with a dB of 235.

Third loudest is a one-ton bomb, with a decibel count of 210.

Fourth on the list is the 1883 volcanic eruption in Krakatoa, Indonesia, which generated the loudest sound historically reported at 180 decibels. The explosion was heard as far away as Perth, Australia, 1,930 miles away.

The fifth loudest sound is created not by an explosion, but by the world’s largest animal. Blue whales emit very loud, highly structured, repetitive low-frequency rumbling sounds they use to communicate for miles underwater, says Listverse. Their whistle can reach 188 decibels and can be heard for hundreds of miles underwater. The whale is the loudest and largest animal on earth.

Number six is a space shuttle launch, generating 165 to 170 dB.  Observers must stand a minimum of a half mile away.

Seventh is a National Hot Rod Association dragster, with a decibel rating of 155 to 160, enough to cause physical pain and permanent damage.

Numbers eight, nine and ten are gunfire, at 145 to 155 dB; fireworks, at 145 to 150 dB; and a rock concert, at 125 to 145 dB.

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