Petrology

Home GEOLOGY Petrology

Petrology is the branch of geology that dives into how rocks originate, what they’re made of, how their textures and structures reflect the forces that formed them — from molten magma solidifying to deep-burial metamorphism and surface sedimentary layering. In this category, you’ll explore the chemical and physical story behind every rock type, understand how they transform through geological time, and see why engineers, geologists and field-practitioners care deeply about their composition and behaviour.

Microfolds in a metamorphic rock; phyllite from the eastern Alps of Italy

Metamorphic Petrology

Metamorphic petrology is the study of metamorphic rocks, which are rocks that have been transformed from one rock type into another through the action...
Thrust faulting of Jurassic sedimentary rock at Ketobe knob along the San Rafael swell in central Utah (Shortening occures; Davis & Reynolds 1996).

Sedimentary Petrology

Sedimentary petrology is the study of sedimentary rocks, which are rocks that form from the accumulation and solidification of sediment. This field of geology...

Igneous Petrology

Igneous petrology is the study of igneous rocks, which are rocks that have formed through the solidification of molten magma. This field of geology...

Petrology Petrology Overview: Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic Rocks Explained

The word petrology comes from the Greek petra (rock) and logos (study or knowledge).In geology, petrology focuses specifically on rocks as aggregates of minerals,...