Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Acoustic monitoring report, 2019

Carlsbad Caverns National Park exhibits exceptionally low ambient sound levels, with median daytime noise at 21.0 dB and nighttime noise at 20.1 dB, reflecting its quiet wilderness character. The study, conducted by the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division from late October to mid-December 2019, found that higher noise thresholds (e.g., 35 dB) were exceeded less than 4% of the day and just 0.81% at night, with even louder levels (45 dB+) rarely detected. A geospatial sound model estimated existing ambient noise at 32.3 dBA and natural conditions at 29.8 dBA, indicating localized anthropogenic impacts. The research aimed to establish a baseline for evaluating potential acoustic disruptions from overflights.

Olstad, T., & Meyer, E. (2024). Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Acoustic monitoring report, 2019 (, Ed.). National Park Service. https://doi.org/10.36967/2305265