Short Wave

The Science Behind That Fresh Rain Scent


Listen Later

(Encore episode.) Scientists have known for decades that one of the main causes of the smell of fresh rain is geosmin: a chemical compound produced by soil-dwelling bacteria. But why do the bacteria make it in the first place? Reporter Emily Vaughn answers this mystery.

Read the paper on which this episode was based.

Take our survey! Tell us what you love and what you would love to see more of — on our show, and also other NPR podcasts.

Other scent mysteries driving your nose wild? Email the show at [email protected] and we might track down the answer.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Short WaveBy NPR

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

6,381 ratings


More shows like Short Wave

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,991 Listeners

Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

43,967 Listeners

Planet Money by NPR

Planet Money

30,761 Listeners

Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Hidden Brain

43,619 Listeners

The NPR Politics Podcast by NPR

The NPR Politics Podcast

25,801 Listeners

Science Vs by Spotify Studios

Science Vs

12,221 Listeners

Science Friday by Science Friday and WNYC Studios

Science Friday

6,464 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

112,234 Listeners

Up First from NPR by NPR

Up First from NPR

56,597 Listeners

The Indicator from Planet Money by NPR

The Indicator from Planet Money

9,533 Listeners

Today, Explained by Vox

Today, Explained

10,284 Listeners

Throughline by NPR

Throughline

16,386 Listeners

Life Kit by NPR

Life Kit

4,804 Listeners

Consider This from NPR by NPR

Consider This from NPR

6,417 Listeners

Unexplainable by Vox

Unexplainable

2,304 Listeners