Have you ever been working in the garden when, for some unknown reason, you look up to see the horizon darkening. You know rain is coming, but how? You may not be aware of it, but that unique smell before rainstorms is what likely caught your attention. What’s more, the ability to smell rain might be an evolutionary adaptation that helped our ancient ancestors survive. Coining a Word for the Smell of Rain In 1964, Australian scientists coined a term for the smell of rain. They called it petrichor, petri from Greek for stone and ichor for the ethereal fluid which flowed through the veins of the ancient Greek gods. This smell is often described as a woodsy or earthy aroma and most people find it quite pleasant. Research conducted by the University of Arizona in the Sonoran Desert suggests this pleasant aroma may actually have health benefits for humans. […]
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