Where does the smell of rain come from?

Question

Water is odorless and tasteless, and yet rain always has a distinctive smell.  So the question is, what is it we are actually smelling when we smell rain?  Is it the particles of dust that get caught in the water, or does the water just amplify our ability to sense the chemicals in the air?
Please cite your sources.

tentofield · Accepted Answer

The fresh scent you get when rain hits dry ground is called petrichor. Many plants have volatile oils that evaporate from the plants and are absorbed by the earth and rocks. Rain falling on the rocks, earth releases these absorbed oils and you can smell them. 

The word is made up of "petros" -"rock" + "ichor" -"blood/essence of the gods". It was coined by an earth scientist (I forget his name) in 1964 I believe. The Italians tried bottling it under the brand name "Earth Scent".

DaveSFV · Answer

Rain (water) is a universal solvent and when falling on dry ground it dissolves and releases odors and smells.  This smell goes away relatively fast as the rain continues to fall.  It is very prevalent when you have a short 10 minute shower.

? · Answer

while the rain is a ingredient of a thunderstorm, with lightning, some human beings can scent the ozone that arises from electric powered discharges from the lightning. Water (rain) is odorless.

ShalloWhale · Answer

I believe it is from the negative ions that are created from the rain falling through the atmosphere.

emma · Answer

Yes it it dust/dirt!....I like that smell...my friends think am a creep..haha

Anotherpersononhere:) · Answer

nowehre tht i kno of

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Where does the smell of rain come from?

6 Answers