Skip to content
American Academy of Audiology
  • PRACTICE RESOURCES
    • Practice Guidelines and Standards
    • Coding
    • Practice Management Tools
    • Medicare/Medicaid
    • Compliance
    • Quality Payment Program
  • EDUCATION & EVENTS
    • Event Calendar
    • Continuing Education
    • Online Learning and Certificate Programs
    • Research Grants and Scholarships
    • Faculty and Preceptor Resources
  • AAA ANNUAL CONVENTION
    • Attend
      • Registration
      • Hotel Information
      • Travel Information
      • Accessibility Services
      • Child Care Options
    • Program and Events
      • Call for Abstracts
      • Schedule-at-a-Glance
      • Educational Sessions
      • Events and Activities
      • Open Houses
    • Exhibit Hall
      • Exhibitor List
    • Exhibitor Information
      • Exhibitor Setup and Hall Schedule
      • Exhibitor Registration and Housing
    • Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities
      • Become an Exhibitor
      • Become a Sponsor or Partner
      • Sponsors and Partners
    • About
  • NEWS & PUBLICATIONS
    • News
      • News from the Academy
      • Audiology in the News
      • Academy in the News
    • Audiology Today
    • Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
    • Advertising
    • Press and Media Information
  • CAREERS
    • Career Center
    • Certification
    • Become an Audiologist
    • Doctoral Programs in Audiology
    • Recruiting
    • New Professional Toolkit
  • ADVOCACY
    • Legislative and Regulatory Activities
      • State Affairs
      • Federal Affairs
    • Legislative Action Center
    • Government Relations News
    • Public Awareness
  • CONSUMERS
    • What Is an Audiologist
    • Hearing and Balance Symptoms and Conditions
    • Managing Hearing Loss
    • Seniors and Hearing Loss
    • Children and Hearing Loss
    • OTC Hearing Aid
  • ABOUT THE ACADEMY
    • Leadership
    • Committees and Task Forces
    • Get Involved
    • Honors and Awards
    • Sponsorships and Corporate Partners
    • Contact Us
  • MEMBERSHIP
    • Benefits
    • Membership Renewals
    • Member Directory
    • Ethics
FacebookTwitterLinkedinYoutubeInstagram
  • Students
  • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Renew
American Academy of Audiology
Member Login
  • PRACTICE RESOURCES
    • Practice Guidelines and Standards
    • Coding
    • Practice Management Tools
    • Medicare/Medicaid
    • Compliance
    • Quality Payment Program
  • EDUCATION & EVENTS
    • Event Calendar
    • Continuing Education
    • Online Learning and Certificate Programs
    • Research Grants and Scholarships
    • Faculty and Preceptor Resources
  • AAA ANNUAL CONVENTION
    • Attend
      • Registration
      • Hotel Information
      • Travel Information
      • Accessibility Services
      • Child Care Options
    • Program and Events
      • Call for Abstracts
      • Schedule-at-a-Glance
      • Educational Sessions
      • Events and Activities
      • Open Houses
    • Exhibit Hall
      • Exhibitor List
    • Exhibitor Information
      • Exhibitor Setup and Hall Schedule
      • Exhibitor Registration and Housing
    • Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities
      • Become an Exhibitor
      • Become a Sponsor or Partner
      • Sponsors and Partners
    • About
  • NEWS & PUBLICATIONS
    • News
      • News from the Academy
      • Audiology in the News
      • Academy in the News
    • Audiology Today
    • Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
    • Advertising
    • Press and Media Information
  • CAREERS
    • Career Center
    • Certification
    • Become an Audiologist
    • Doctoral Programs in Audiology
    • Recruiting
    • New Professional Toolkit
  • ADVOCACY
    • Legislative and Regulatory Activities
      • State Affairs
      • Federal Affairs
    • Legislative Action Center
    • Government Relations News
    • Public Awareness
  • CONSUMERS
    • What Is an Audiologist
    • Hearing and Balance Symptoms and Conditions
    • Managing Hearing Loss
    • Seniors and Hearing Loss
    • Children and Hearing Loss
    • OTC Hearing Aid
  • ABOUT THE ACADEMY
    • Leadership
    • Committees and Task Forces
    • Get Involved
    • Honors and Awards
    • Sponsorships and Corporate Partners
    • Contact Us
  • MEMBERSHIP
    • Benefits
    • Membership Renewals
    • Member Directory
    • Ethics
wave-mark-white
January 23, 2022

Volcanic Eruption Tops Loudest Sound Heard on Earth in the Past 100 Years

  • Audiology in the News

On January 14­–15, 2022, the island of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai was destroyed by a volcanic explosion, estimated to be equivalent to a 10-megaton blast. The underwater volcano “Tonga” is located in the South Pacific situated under the uninhabited island of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, now obliterated.

This eruption triggered tsunami warnings throughout the Pacific Ocean. The sonic wave was heard as far away as the Yukon region in Alaska, over 6,000 miles (10,000 km) away. Residents of Alaska report being woken up between 5:00 pm and 6:45 pm to a loud rumbling. Scientists believe the sonic boom was the loudest sound on earth to happen since the 1883 eruption of Krakatau in Indonesia, which was estimated to be 235 dB in the epicenter.

It is reported that shifting along the subduction zone caused seawater to enter into the magma formed chambers below the island. The combination of temperature change, pressure, water, and rock contributed to the once in a lifetime sonic event.

For more information review the reference articles below.

References

Brumfiel G. (2022) NASA Scientists Estimate Tonga Blast at 10 megatons. NPR. Morning Edition. January 18.

Carroll L. (2022) Noise from Underwater Volcanic Eruption across the Pacific Heard in the Yukon. CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada. January 15.

Staab W. (2016) Loudest Sound. Hearing Health Matters. November 22.

Share this

Related Posts

Which Animal Has the Best Hearing?

Clinical Decision Support for Vestibular Diagnosis: Large-Scale Machine Learning with Lived Experience Coaching

Using Supply and Demand to Identify Shortages in the Hearing Health Care Professional Workforce

Recent Posts

Academy Recognizes First Distinguished Fellows of the American Academy of Audiology (DFAAA)
Academy News

Academy Recognizes First Distinguished Fellows of the American Academy of Audiology (DFAAA)

The American Academy of Audiology is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of Distinguished Fellows of the American Academy of Audiology (DFAAA), a prestigious honor…

Read More
The Government Is Shutdown, Now What?
Government Relations News

The Government Is Shutdown, Now What?

Congress has failed to avert a government shutdown. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is expected to face significant workforce reductions across its…

Read More
Meet the Academy Board of Directors
Academy News

Meet the Academy Board of Directors

The American Academy of Audiology is proud to announce its Board of Directors, a group of dedicated leaders guiding the profession forward and ensuring the…

Read More
wave-mark

Join the Academy

Academy members receive many benefits for professional development, practice management, and community development.

Become a Member
COMM24-Academy_Website_Graphics-revised_logo(W)

American Academy of Audiology
11480 Commerce Park Drive
Suite 220
Reston, VA 20191

Tel: 703-790-8466
Fax: 703-790-8631

  • Practice Resources
  • Education and Events
  • News and Publications
  • Careers
  • Advocacy
  • About the Academy
  • Consumers and Patients
  • Students
  • Donate
  • Get Involved
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Antitrust Policy and Guidelines
  • Terms of Use Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Sitemap

© Copyright 2025 American Academy of Audiology

Website by Yoko Co

This content is an exclusive benefit for
American Academy of Audiology members.

If you’re a member, log in and you’ll get immediate access.

 

Member Login

 

If you’re not yet a member, you’ll be interested to know that joining not only gives you access to top-notch resources like this one, but also invitations to member-only events, inclusion in the member directory, participation in professional forums, and access to patient resources, tools, and continuing education. Join today!

This content is an exclusive benefit for
American Academy of Audiology members.

If you’re a member, log in and you’ll get immediate access.

 

Member Login

 

If you’re not yet a member, you’ll be interested to know that joining not only gives you access to top-notch resources like this one, but also invitations to member-only events, inclusion in the member directory, participation in professional forums, and access to patient resources, tools, and continuing education. Join today!

Scroll To Top
We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.