In message , TudorHgh
writes
Hello everybody,
Just had an email from my niece who's asking what the cause is of that
nice smell you get when it rains after a warm spell. Told her I'd seek advice,
so any suggestions would be welcome. My own guess is that it may well be a
man-made substance, as it is most noticeable over surfaces containing tar but I
can't quite understand why it needs wetting to release it. Being a retired
industrial chemist I do know a bit about this sort of thing, but obviously not
quite enough, and I do need to retain credibility with my niece.

Tudor Hughes, Warlingham, Surrey.


Hi

I'm no scientist but am not sure about it being mean made. We live way
out in the sticks, the nearest tarmac road surface (a lane) is at least
200/300m distant. The smell after rain seems to emanate from the trees,
grass and the ground itself, sort of damp and peaty, yet fresh at the
same time. I'm with your niece, it's really nice whatever it is.


--
Bill