The loudest sound produced by humans and animals can vary significantly. Here are a few examples:
Humans: The loudest sound produced by a human is typically associated with a shout or scream. The volume of a human shout can range from around 70 decibels (dB) to over 100 dB. However, when it comes to intentional sound production, the loudest human-produced sounds include things like explosions or sonic booms, which can exceed 200 dB. These sounds are generally not naturally produced by humans in normal circumstances.
Animals: The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), the largest animal on Earth, is known for producing extremely loud sounds. Its vocalizations, called songs or calls, can reach volumes of up to 188 decibels (peak level), which can be heard across vast distances in the ocean. These low-frequency sounds play an essential role in communication and mating for these marine mammals. Other animals, such as howler monkeys and certain birds, also produce loud vocalizations to communicate or establish territory, but they are typically not as loud as the blue whale.
It's important to note that the loudness of a sound is typically measured in decibels (dB), which is a logarithmic scale. The scale is not linear, so each increase of 10 dB represents a tenfold increase in sound intensity. Extremely loud sounds, especially those above 120 dB, can cause hearing damage or discomfort, and proper hearing protection is recommended in such situations.