10/22/2026
Word of the day - Petrichor (the smell of rain)
The smell of rain is scientifically known as petrichor, a term coined in 1964 by Australian researchers Isabel Joy Bear and Richard Grenfell Thomas. It is created when raindrops hit dry soil, releasing plant oils, earthy bacterial compounds like geosmin, and airborne ozone.
Geosmin: An organic compound produced by soil-dwelling bacteria (such as Streptomyces and Actinomycetes) that humans can smell in tiny amounts.
Plant Oils: Fatty acids (like palmitic and stearic acid) that accumulate in dry rocks and soil before washing into the air.
Aerosol Bubbles: High-speed raindrops trap microscopic air bubbles on porous surfaces, which float up and burst into the atmosphere.
Ozone: Electrical charges from lightning split oxygen and nitrogen molecules, creating a sharp, clean scent before or during a storm.
Wikipedia gets the credit for this info.
