The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia produced the loudest sound in recorded history, estimated at around 310 decibels and heard thousands of kilometres away, with reports of the blast being audible as far as 4,800 km from the source.
The explosion and immediate effects
The violent collapse and explosions on Rakata and nearby cones generated massive blast waves that physically damaged ships and ruptured eardrums near the source, and the pressure pulse was strong enough to be recorded as far afield as Batavia where instruments registered extreme overpressure spikes.
Tsunamis and planetary shockwaves
The eruption triggered enormous tsunamis that caused widespread coastal destruction and loss of life, and the acoustic and pressure waves from the blast travelled around the globe multiple times, producing observable atmospheric and oceanic disturbances on a planetary scale.
Climate and long-term impacts
Following the eruption, global weather patterns were noticeably affected for months, with vivid sunsets and measurable short‑term cooling linked to ash and aerosols injected into the stratosphere, illustrating how very large volcanic eruptions can influence climate beyond their immediate vicinity.
Why it matters
Krakatoa’s 1883 eruption remains a vivid example of how a single geological event can produce the loudest natural sound ever recorded, create destructive tsunamis, send shockwaves around the planet and leave detectable fingerprints on global climate and weather systems.