The distinctive soil scent that is felt before or around the time of a rainstorm is called petrichor. A key factor in this scent is a chemical called geosmin, produced by microorganisms living in the soil. Some bacteria, especially actinomycetes, produce geosmin, which our noses can detect even in very small quantities.
However, it's not entirely accurate to say that petrichor is a scent solely produced by bacteria. Scientists believe that several factors, including plant oils, geosmin, and, in some circumstances, ozone, can contribute to this scent. In 1964, Australian scientists coined the term "petrichor" for this distinctive rain scent.
Most interestingly, raindrops help dissipate this scent into the air when they hit the ground. Research has found that when raindrops fall on dry, porous soil, tiny bubbles can form within them. Their bursting releases tiny aerosols into the air, which may contain substances related to soil chemicals and microorganisms.
This is why we often smell this scent just before the rain begins or around the first few drops. However, saying "the nose always detects it before a single drop falls" is a bit of an exaggeration. Many factors, such as air humidity, wind direction, soil conditions, and rain intensity, determine when and how strong the scent is felt. This effect can often be more pronounced during light rain.
This means that the sweet smell of rain is not just the smell of soil, but the result of a very interesting natural process that occurs between soil, microorganisms, plants, and raindrops.
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