Answer the question about text:

I knew before the hatch to the ship opened , and I knew before I could see the light from the pod . We stood for a long time looking at each other , as if we could bridge the invisible gap spanning between us . Elfangor said , finally . The silence had been deafening . " Why ? " I asked .

How can silence be deafening ?
The silence is disconcerting and is chilling .