The science behind the rain smell: microbes, plants, and the physics that carry scent from ground to nose.
Petrichor isn’t just rain smell—it’s a symphony of soil bacteria, plant oils, and ozone descending after storms.
The iconic petrichor smell can outlast the rain itself, lingering days due to porous soil reservoirs releasing oils slowly.
Certain bacteria release a tiny iron-rich compound when crushed by raindrops, creating a micro-ozone-like scent instantly.
Humans can smell petrichor before rain arrives because air-drying soils emit compounds that travel ahead of precipitation.
The science behind the rain smell: microbes, plants, and the physics that carry scent from ground to nose.
Petrichor isn’t just rain smell—it’s a symphony of soil bacteria, plant oils, and ozone descending after storms.
The iconic petrichor smell can outlast the rain itself, lingering days due to porous soil reservoirs releasing oils slowly.
Certain bacteria release a tiny iron-rich compound when crushed by raindrops, creating a micro-ozone-like scent instantly.
Humans can smell petrichor before rain arrives because air-drying soils emit compounds that travel ahead of precipitation.
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