Structural geology is a branch of geology that studies the architecture and deformation of rocks in the Earth's crust. It focuses on the analysis of the arrangement, orientation, and relationships of geological features such as faults, folds, joints, and fractures. Structural geologists seek to understand the mechanisms and processes responsible for the deformation of rocks, including tectonic forces, pressure, temperature, and time. This knowledge is crucial for interpreting the history of Earth's crust, predicting natural hazards such as earthquakes and landslides, and locating valuable mineral deposits. Structural geologists often use field mapping, remote sensing, laboratory analysis, and computer modeling to study the deformation of rocks at various scales and depths within the Earth's crust.