Why does Rain Smell So Good?

+1 vote
asked Aug 1, 2018 in Weather by MK Odball (190 points)
Why does Rain Smell So Good?

Why is it whenever it rains like now the rain smells so good and fresh?

I love when it rains because the air and soil just smells so good. But what causes rain to smell so good?

1 Answer

0 votes
answered Aug 1, 2018 by Shawn (99,990 points)
The reason why rain smells so good is due to what's called Petrichor.

When the rain hits the soil it releases the smell of chemicals and plant oils along with producing bacteria and spores in the soil which cause the soil to smell when the rain hits it.

After it stops raining and the soil starts drying out then more spores begin to be produced in the soil and then you smell those spores growing.

That's why it smells so good after it rains and when it's raining too.

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