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Sound levels explained -

Sound is measured in decibels, and our environment contains a range of sounds, from rustling leaves (20-30 decibels) to thunderclaps (120 decibels), and sirens (120-140 decibels). Sounds at 85 decibels or higher, such as power lawnmowers (90 decibels) and loud rock concerts (110-120 decibels), can harm the ears.

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Understanding noise pollution -

Noise pollution is an invisible threat that deserves more attention, and though it cannot be seen, it is ever-present on both land and at sea. Defined as any unwanted or disruptive sound, noise pollution impacts the health and well-being of humans and other organisms.

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The health toll of noise pollution -

Noise pollution affects millions daily. The most common health issue it causes is Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Loud noise exposure can also lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbances, and stress. These health problems affect all age groups, especially children.

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The silent health crisis -

Environmental noise can also lead to tinnitus—a chronic ear ringing that causes insomnia, irritability, and depression, and is even linked to cardiovascular diseases. The World Health Organization estimates that traffic-related noise robs the Western European population of over a million healthy years of life annually!

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The impact of noise pollution on wildlife -

Studies have shown that loud noises can cause caterpillars' dorsal vessels, the insect equivalent of a heart, to beat faster, and also result in fewer chicks for bluebirds. Animals also rely on sound to navigate, find food, attract mates, and avoid predators, which is why noise pollution threatens their survival.

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The ocean's growing problem -

Increasing noise is not only affecting humans and land animals, but it is also a growing issue for marine life. Ships, oil drills, sonar devices, and seismic tests have turned the once tranquil marine environment into a loud and chaotic place.

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How noise pollution affects marine mammals -

Whales and dolphins are especially impacted by noise pollution, with some of the loudest underwater noise coming from naval sonar devices. These marine mammals depend on echolocation to communicate, navigate, feed, and find mates. Excess noise disrupts their ability to echolocate effectively, posing significant challenges to their survival.

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Why quiet matters in the animal world -

Biologists have discovered that silence is golden in the animal kingdom. For prey, it's essential to hear predators sneaking up; for predators, it's crucial to catch the sounds of their next meal. And let's not forget songbirds, who rely on serenading to charm mates and keep their species going strong.

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Preserving our silent sanctuaries -

Humans may be better at coping with the noise we create, but losing the natural quiet would be a disaster for our spirits. Peaceful, undisturbed places are treasures worth finding and safeguarding. If more people were calmed by the beauty of nature’s sounds, perhaps we’d all decide to lower the volume a bit.

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Yangmingshan National Park, Taiwan -

This park was awarded Urban Quiet Park status by Quiet Parks International in 2020. Areas that obtain the status must have noise levels of below 45 decibels, equivalent to the sound levels in the average library, and a maximum of eight short “noise disturbances” an hour, none of which can exceed 65 decibels. 

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Zabalo River, Ecuador -

In 2019, Ecuador’s Zabalo River area was designated the first Wilderness Quiet Park by Quiet Parks International. Spanning over 1 million acres (404,680 hectares), this serene environment remains free of noise pollution, thanks largely to the Indigenous Cofán people who have safeguarded this protected area for thousands of years.

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Orfield Laboratories, US -

Nicknamed "the place where sound goes to die," the echo-free chamber at Minneapolis’s Orfield Laboratories is a marvel of silence boasting an incredible -13 decibels. Used by NASA astronauts to prepare for the total silence of space, it has claimed the Guinness World Record for the quietest spot on Earth twice.

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Tak Be Ha Cenote, Mexico -

The Yucatan Peninsula's cathedral-like underwater caves are some of the last pristine spots on Earth. With nearly 7,000 caves, the Tak Be Ha Cenote stands out as one of the quietest, where the only sound you might hear is the gentle drip of water.

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Antarctica -

Antarctica isn't just the world's southernmost continent, it's also the highest, driest, windiest, coldest, and iciest. This frozen expanse remains free from permanent human settlement, with no towns or villages, and only the occasional research station or expedition hut breaking its vast, silent landscape.

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Zurich, Switzerland -

Zurich isn't just famous for its chocolate tours and scenic day trips; it also boasts the lowest noise levels of any city, according to tests by the World Hearing Index and the World Health Organization. These rankings emerged from over 200,000 audio tests conducted in more than 50 of the world’s largest cities.

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Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, US -

In March 2023, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), located in the traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe people, was awarded Wilderness Quiet Park status by Quiet Parks International (QPI). The natural silence in the BWCAW can last for hours at a time, depending on the time of day, season, and factors such as air traffic patterns.

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Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana -

Covering 1,506 square miles (3,900 square kilometers), the Makgadikgadi Pan in northeast Botswana is one of the world's largest salt flats. Once the bed of the now-vanished Makgadikgadi Lake, its wildlife is scarce during the dry season, making it a perfectly quiet spot surrounded by desert. 

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Olympic National Park, US -

The tranquility of this park can be attributed to one of America’s largest coniferous forests, which naturally dampens noise across 900,000 acres (364,220 hectares) of wilderness. Nowadays, park authorities urge visitors to keep noise levels down, and even pilots have adjusted their flight paths to preserve the serenity of the area.

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Landmannalaugar, Iceland -

Landmannalaugar, named after a hot pool beneath the Laugahraun lava field, offers travelers miles of solitude in Iceland. Not only can you wander without seeing another soul, but you'll also encounter incredibly silent volcanic patches scattered throughout the region.

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Kielder Mires, England -

Northumberland’s Kielder Mires, England’s largest blanket bog, is nestled on the western edge of Kielder Water and Forest Park. Spanning 250 square miles (648 square kilometers), it's home to 150 million trees, making it England's largest planted forest. A few years ago, it was named the quietest place in Britain, thanks to its distance from the nearest road or flight path.

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Kelso Dunes, Mojave Desert, US -

Famed for its vast vistas and challenging environment, the Mojave Desert is a quiet haven due to its lack of wildlife, planes, or cars. The scorching summer heat keeps casual visitors at bay, leaving only the intrepid travelers to bask in the sound of silence.

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Älvsjöskogen Nature Reserve, Sweden -

In 2015, Stockholm introduced its Guide to Silence project to showcase tranquil spots in and around Sweden’s capital, and Älvsjöskogen Nature Reserve was among the chosen locations. Signs mark the quietest areas, and the visitors are encouraged to maintain the peace by walking slowly and turning off their mobile phones.

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Microsoft's Building 87, US -

Inside Microsoft's Building 87, you'll find three echo-free sound chambers that have a noise level of -20.3 decibels and are used by audio engineers to test microphones and speakers. Unfortunately, they aren't open to the public, but you can still take virtual tours to experience the surreal silence.

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Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii -

Haleakalā Crater on Maui, a dormant volcano, is renowned as the quietest place on Earth. Stepping into the crater is supposed to be a life-changing experience, as the decibel levels are so low that even whispers can sound like shouts.

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Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka -

Located in southwest Sri Lanka, Sinharaja is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. Over 60% of its trees are endemic, with many considered rare. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers the most peaceful night sounds imaginable, as a myriad of insects and frogs weave a sonic tapestry that dreams are made of.

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Muir Woods National Monument, US -

In 2001, rangers at Muir Woods National Monument noticed that noise pollution was causing species like pileated woodpeckers and northern spotted owls to leave the area. Nowadays, signs throughout the park encourage visitors to keep quiet, and a decibel meter near the entrance monitors their voices.

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Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, Australia -

This site is home to one of the world's largest radio telescopes, which listens to radio waves from outer space—only possible in truly isolated areas. The surrounding expanse in the Western Australia outback is a designated Radio Quiet Zone, where electronic devices like mobile phones, radios, and televisions must be turned off.

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Steinmetz Hall, US -

Nestled within the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Steinmetz Hall is renowned for its flawless acoustics. Boasting an N1 sound rating, the lowest level at which humans can detect sound, this space is so quiet that if you were to sit alone, you'd be able to hear your own heartbeat!

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Grasslands National Park, Canada -

Canadian poet Lorna Crozier once described Grasslands National Park as a “sanctuary of silence, one of the last on the planet. Under the wind, under our heartbeats, we hear the earth breathing.” Spanning more than 348 square miles (900 square kilometers), the park is divided into two blocks, each with its own distinct personality. 

Sources: (National Geographic) (Quiet Parks International) (Viator) (Cirrus Research) (Travel + Leisure)

See also: Footsteps of adventure: Epic hiking destinations

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