Crustal research focuses on the study of the Earth's crust, which is the outermost solid layer of the Earth. This area of research involves investigating the composition, structure, and properties of the crust, as well as the processes that shape and change it over time. Crustal research plays a crucial role in understanding geological processes such as plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building. Scientists in this field use a variety of techniques including geophysical surveys, geochemical analysis, and geological mapping to study the crust and gain insights into the Earth's history and evolution.