The smell of earth after rain is called Petrichor, and it is caused by Geosmin, a sesquiterpenoid metabolite with the chemical formula C₁₂H₂₂O. Human sensitivity to geosmin is about 10 parts per trillion. (via)
posted by mrgrimm on Nov 28, 2012 - 95 comments

The smell of the Moon. Space. Pharaohs. Graffiti. Anger. Rain. Phantoms. Cancer. The Middle Ages.
posted by Paragon on Dec 21, 2010 - 17 comments