Why Rain Smells So Good — The Science of Petrichor | RapidSmartFacts

That incredible smell right before or after it rains has a name — petrichor.

But what exactly creates it, and why does it feel so calming?

The scent begins long before the first drop hits the ground. During dry weather,

plants release oils that settle into the soil. These oils coat tiny bits of

clay and organic matter, waiting for rain to arrive. When raindrops finally

land, they trap pockets of air and burst them upward as tiny aerosols.

Inside those aerosols are the plant oils — now released as a fresh, earthy scent.

But there’s another key ingredient: a soil bacteria called Actinobacteria. When disturbed by