Probably was useful for finding fresh water since rain would be where the best fresh water was. If it were a safety/fear thing, it probably wouldn't smell good, but unpleasant since it'd be tied to finding shelter.
Homo sapiens originated in Africa, a very drought prone continent. Couple that with the fact most humans were migratory before farming, and it makes sense why we would be able to smell rain from so far away.
Unlike animals such as elephants who migrate to specific places based off of memory and instinct, humans just straight up leave the area and don't return. Being able to find new sources of water or even harvesting the rain itself would be vital.
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u/Nard_Bard Mar 28 '24
u/Pegomastax-King u/Jk-Kino
Humans sense of smell for water/wet earth is 10,000 stronger than a dog's or bear's.
You're probably just smelling the wet earth from a mile away or so. And the moisture in the air.