How loud is a thunder?

In close proximity to the source, the sound pressure level of thunder is usually 165 to 180 dB, but can exceed 200 dB in some cases.

What does it mean when thunder is really loud?

A big noise

It's because the amount of electrical energy that flows from the cloud to the ground is so enormous: it's like a very big waterfall of electricity. The louder the sound that you hear, the closer you are to the lightning.

Can thunder sound hurt you?

When the sound of thunder has a rumbling quality, it is the sound waves reaching the listener at different times owing to the shape of the lightning strike. In rare cases, the sound of thunder at very close range has been known to cause injury to humans and damage to property.

How much sound does a thunder make?

When this occurs, thunder will normally have an audible range up to 10 miles (16 km). However, when the air temperature increases with height, called an inversion, sound waves are refracted (bent back toward the earth) as they move due to their faster motion in the warmer air.

Can humans hear thunder?

Thunder is the sound caused by a nearby flash of lightning and can be heard for a distance of only about 10 miles from the lightning strike. The sound of thunder should serve as a warning to anyone outside that they are within striking distance of the storm and need to get to a safe place immediately!

Why Doesn't All Thunder Sound The Same?

Should I run if I hear thunder?

Get inside as soon as you hear thunder. Run to a substantial building or hard-topped metal vehicle as fast as you can. If you can't get to a safe building or vehicle: ✓ Avoid open areas.

What happens if thunder falls on human?

Dr. Griggs says if a person is struck by lightning, it can cause cardiac arrest, which stops a person's body from circulating blood and cause direct injury to the brain and nervous system, preventing the brain from being able to send the appropriate signals to tell the body to continue breathing.

How loud is thunder right next to you?

In close proximity to the source, the sound pressure level of thunder is usually 165 to 180 dB, but can exceed 200 dB in some cases.

Is thunder the loudest sound on earth?

But what about the loudest sound ever heard? On the morning of 27 August 1883, on the Indonesian island of Krakatoa, a volcanic eruption produced what scientists believe to be the loudest sound produced on the surface of the planet, estimated at 310 decibels (dB).

What is the loudest thunder clap ever?

The loudest clap is 117.4 dBA, and was achieved by Steven Wallace (USA), in Cambridge, Massachusetts…

What should you not do when you hear thunder?

Why is thunder loud at night?

The sun heats the land unevenly during the day, and when the heating from the sun stops at night, changes occur in the atmosphere that force a strong "jet" of air just above the ground.

Should you be outside if you hear thunder?

Safety precautions outdoors

Remember: When thunder roars, go indoors. Find a safe, enclosed shelter. Safe shelters include homes, offices, shopping centers, and hard-top vehicles with the windows rolled up. If you are caught in an open area, act quickly to find adequate shelter.

What does it mean if thunder shakes your house?

Why does the house shake when there is a thunder storm? Your house will shake depending the closeness of the lightning. Thunder is a sonic boom that comes from the rapid heating of the air around a lightning strike.

What is the 30 30 rule for thunder?

When You See Lightning, Count The Time Until You Hear Thunder. If That Is 30 Seconds Or Less, The Thunderstorm Is Close Enough To Be Dangerous – Seek Shelter (if you can't see the lightning, just hearing the thunder is a good back-up rule). Wait 30 Minutes Or More After The Lightning Flash Before Leaving Shelter.

Does loud thunder mean tornado?

Look for darkening skies, flashes of lightning, or increasing wind which may be signs of an approaching thunderstorm. These same conditions, along with large hail, a loud roar, and a dark, low-lying cloud are signs of a tornado. Be prepared to take shelter immediately. Listen for sounds of thunder.

Why is 194 dB the loudest sound possible?

At 194 dB, the energy in the sound waves starts distorting and they create a complete vacuum between themselves. The sound is no longer moving through the air, but is in fact pushing the air along with it, forming a pressurized wall of moving air.

How loud can a human yell?

The average decibel level of human speech is estimated between 55 and 65 decibels. A whisper is considered the lowest decibel level of human speech. A whisper is between 20-30 dB. On the other hand, a human scream can reach decibel levels between 80 and 125 dB.

How far can 120 decibels be heard?

The effective distance of a 100 dB(A) sounder in a very noisy environment is 1.8m, the distance for a 120 dB(A) sounder is approx 18m (10 times the distance). Note: Alarm sounders that are too loud may be dangerous and cause panic, discomfort and make communication very difficult.

Can thunder be loud enough to shake a house?

At first, there is a sharp boundary between the initial shock wave and the air in front of it, which gives the startling boom of thunder. If you are close enough to experience that boundary, your house will certainly shake.

Can thunder sound like an explosion?

The sudden heating causes the surrounding air to expand violently and creates big sound waves, like what happens in a bomb explosion, along the entire length of the lightning bolt. We usually hear a loud boom followed by several seconds of rumble.

Why can't we collect lightning?

The problem is that the energy in lightning is contained in a very short period of time, only a few microseconds. Further, to obtain that 1 million joules, one would have to handle a voltage of several million volts.

Has anyone been hurt by thunder?

Lightning Strike Injuries and Deaths Vary by Region

From 2006 through 2021, there were 444 lightning strike deaths in the United States.

Is it OK to walk in thunder?

Therefore, if you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance. Seek safe shelter immediately. Remember this lightning safety rule: WHEN THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS...and stay there until 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.

Can you smell thunder?

Even if there's barely any lightning, there are still trace amounts of lightning-produced ozone and nitrogen dioxide in the air scattered about the storm. When the gust front of a storm carries it out ahead of the rain, you can smell it before it's “scavenged” to the ground.