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The smell of petrichor is associated with oils that accumulate in rocks and soil during dry periods and are released by moisture. The word petrichor combines two Greek words: petra, meaning 'rock' or 'stone', and ichor, the ethereal golden fluid that runs in the veins of Ancient Greek gods and goddesses. Preliminary research in 2015 suggests that when a raindrop lands on a porous surface, air from the pores forms small bubbles, which float to the surface and release aerosols. Such aerosols might carry the petrichor scent, as well as bacteria and viruses from the soil.

Geosmin is a chemical with a distinct earthy or musty odor. It is a bicyclic alcohol with the formula C₁₂H₂₂O. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek words for earth and smell. Geosmin is also responsible for the earthy taste of beetroots. It is responsible for the muddy smell in many commercially important freshwater fish such as carp, catfish and tilapia.

Further research suggests that humans can detect imminent rain by the presence of ozone immediately before it, coming from a combination of various soil components and lightning. Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) is a flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae. In the regions where it grows, its smell is often associated with the smell of rain, as the scent of its resinous leaves intensifies in rain. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, a natural compound found in the creosote bush, has the formula C₁₈H₂₂O₄.

It has been suggested that camels can detect the smell of geosmin released by Streptomyces miles away in wet ground, and track it to find an oasis.

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