The loudest sound in recorded history was the eruption of Krakatoa. It was so loud the sound wave traveled the world 7 times, was heard in 50 different locations around the world, and caused permanent hearing loss of those close to it. It also darkened the sky worldwide for years afterwards.

1883 eruption of Krakatoa

The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa (Indonesian: Letusan Krakatau 1883) in the Sunda Strait began on the afternoon of Sunday, 26 August 1883—with origins as early as that May—and peaked on the late morning of Monday, 27 August 1883, when over 70% of the island of Krakatoa and its surrounding archipelago were destroyed as it collapsed into a caldera.

The eruption was one of the deadliest and most destructive volcanic events in recorded history and explosions were so violent that they were heard 3,110 kilometres (1,930 mi) away in Perth, Western Australia, and Rodrigues near Mauritius, 4,800 kilometres (3,000 mi) away. At least 36,417 deaths are attributed to the eruption and the tsunamis it created. The sound was claimed to be heard in 50 diff… Continue Reading (12 minute read)