petrology
Study of stones
Petrology is the branch of geology that studies rocks—their origin, composition, structure, and the processes that form and transform them.
A petrologist examines how rocks crystallize from magma, how sediments compact into stone, and how heat and pressure alter existing rocks.
The petrology of the region revealed ancient volcanic activity.
Igneous rock, quartz-rich
- basaltFine-grained volcanic stone
- obsidianGlassy igneous rock
- pumiceLightweight volcanic abrasive
- rhyolitePale volcanic igneous rock
andesite · diorite · gabbro · scoria · magma · crystallization · plutonic · volcanic
Crystalline silicon dioxide
- feldsparSilicate mineral group
- micaLayered silicate mineral
- olivineGreen igneous rock mineral
- pyroxeneRock-forming silicate group
amphibole · garnet · calcite · magnetite · hematite · serpentine · biotite · muscovite
Erupted liquid stone
- pyroclasticHot eruption debris
- tephraEjected volcanic material
- eruptionViolent sudden release
- volcanoEarth's fiery vent
caldera · lava tube · aa · lahar · tuff · ash · bombs · volcanism
Recrystallized limestone rock
- slateFissile metamorphic rock
- schistPlaty-mineral metamorphic rock
- gneissFoliated metamorphic rock
- quartziteMetamorphic silica-rich stone
amphibolite · foliation · recrystallization · metamorphism · contact · regional · pressure · temperature
Surfacing native stone
- hammerTool for striking nails
- hand lensHandheld magnification device
- loupePocket-sized detail viewer
- geologistStudies rocks and minerals
field notebook · strike · dip · mapping · traverse · sample collection · exposure · weathering
Rock sliver for microscopy
- microscopyTechnique using powerful lenses
- geochemistryEarth's chemical makeup science
- geochronologyStudy of geological ages
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
core sampling · polarized light · outcrop · sampling · classification
Cemented grain sediment
- shaleCompacted clay sediment
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- mudstoneCompacted clay and silt rock
- siltstoneConsolidated silt deposit
conglomerate · breccia · chalk · dolomite · stratification · clastic · compaction · cementation
granite
Igneous rock, quartz-rich
rhyolite · andesite · diorite · gabbro · scoria · magma · crystallization · plutonic · volcanic · intrusive
quartz
Crystalline silicon dioxide
pyroxene · amphibole · garnet · calcite · magnetite · hematite · serpentine · biotite · muscovite · hornblende
lava
Erupted liquid stone
- pyroclasticHot eruption debris
- tephraEjected volcanic material
- eruptionViolent sudden release
volcano · caldera · lava tube · aa · lahar · tuff · ash · bombs · volcanism · effusive
marble
Recrystallized limestone rock
quartzite · amphibolite · foliation · recrystallization · metamorphism · contact · regional · pressure · temperature · grade
outcrop
Surfacing native stone
geologist · field notebook · strike · dip · mapping · traverse · sample collection · exposure · weathering · formation
thin section
Rock sliver for microscopy
- microscopyTechnique using powerful lenses
- geochemistryEarth's chemical makeup science
- geochronologyStudy of geological ages
spectroscopy · core sampling · polarized light · outcrop · sampling · classification
sandstone
Cemented grain sediment
siltstone · conglomerate · breccia · chalk · dolomite · stratification · clastic · compaction · cementation · fossils
petrologypaleontology
Study of ancient organisms
hydrology · meteorology · oceanography · pedology · glaciology
petrologybiology
Study of organisms
zoology · botany · ecology · microbiology · biochemistry