Hertz measures sound frequency, while decibels measure ... according to the CDC. The loudest noise ever is thought to be the eruption of Indonesian volcanic island Krakatoa in 1883.

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It's widely regarded as the loudest sound ever recorded. The "gunfire" heard in Vasse was the infrasound generated by Krakatoa's eruption, traveling vast distances through the atmosphere.

Compare that to the sound of a jet airliner taking off ... "Every 10 decibels is an order-of-magnitude increase." Was Saturn V the loudest rocket ever launched? Probably not, if you use thrust ...