Petrology

Petrology is the branch of geology that deals with the study of rocks, including their composition, origin, evolution, and distribution. It is concerned with the examination of rocks at the microscopic and chemical levels to understand how they were formed, what processes have altered them over time, and their relationship to other rocks and minerals. Petrology encompasses a wide range of rock types, including igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, and is essential for understanding the Earth’s history, evolution, and structure. The knowledge gained from petrology is also crucial for resource exploration, including the discovery of mineral deposits and hydrocarbon reservoirs.