Petrichor vs. Geosmin: What's the Difference?

The distinctive smell given off by earth, rock, or pavement at the beginning of a rain after a period of warm, dry weather.

(organic compound) A bacterial derivative of decahydronaphthalene that has a strong earthy smell and is the material responsible for petrichor.

The organic compounds that produce such a smell.

The distinctive scent, caused by geosmin, which accompanies the first rain after a long, warm, dry spell.

The yellow organic oil that yields this scent.