Ever notice an earthy smell in the air after a light rain? Now scientists at MIT believe they may have identified the mechanism that releases this aroma, as well as other aerosols, into the environment.
Using high-speed cameras, the researchers observed that when a raindrop hits a porous surface, it traps tiny air bubbles at the point of contact. As in a glass of champagne, the bubbles then shoot upward, ultimately bursting from the drop in a fizz of aerosols.
Rainfall can release aerosols, study finds | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Also this post about terroir.
I love the intense curiosity of scientists! And don’t you love their comparing the bursting rain bubbles to a glass of champagne! MIT is especially fun (my first husband went to MIT.)
But, I digress! That rain earthy smell is in my top 5 favorite aromas.