Petrology is a branch of geology that focuses on the study of rocks, their composition, structure, and origin. Petrologists analyze the physical and chemical properties of rocks to understand the processes that formed them and the conditions under which they formed. This research area involves studying the mineralogical and textural characteristics of rocks, as well as their relationships to geological processes such as tectonics, volcanism, and metamorphism. Petrology is important for understanding the Earth's history, the formation of mineral resources, and the environmental impacts of geological processes.