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Petrology: meaning, definitions and examples

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petrology

 

[ pəˈtrɒlədʒi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

science study

Petrology is the branch of geology that focuses on the study of rocks, their origins, formation processes, and mineral composition. This field encompasses various sub-disciplines, including igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic petrology, each dealing with different types of rocks and their characteristics.

Synonyms

geology, mineralogy, rock science

Examples of usage

  • Petrology helps us understand the Earth's geological history.
  • Geologists often study petrology to explore potential natural resources.
  • The petrology of the region reveals significant insights into its tectonic activity.

Translations

Translations of the word "petrology" in other languages:

🇵🇹 petrologia

🇮🇳 पेट्रोलॉजी

🇩🇪 Petrologie

🇮🇩 petrologi

🇺🇦 петрологія

🇵🇱 petrologia

🇯🇵 岩石学

🇫🇷 pétrologie

🇪🇸 petrología

🇹🇷 petroloji

🇰🇷 암석학

🇸🇦 علم الصخور

🇨🇿 petrologie

🇸🇰 petrológia

🇨🇳 岩石学

🇸🇮 petrologija

🇮🇸 bergfræði

🇰🇿 петрология

🇬🇪 პეტროლოგია

🇦🇿 petrologiya

🇲🇽 petrología

Etymology

The term 'petrology' comes from the Greek word 'petra,' meaning 'rock,' and the suffix '-logy,' which denotes 'study' or 'science.' First used in the early 19th century, petrology emerged as a distinct scientific discipline as geologists sought to understand the composition and formation of Earth's crust. The development of petrology paralleled advancements in mineralogy and crystallography, with early studies primarily focusing on the classification of rocks based on their physical and chemical properties. Over time, petrology has evolved to include a wide range of analytical techniques and approaches, making it a critical field in geology, especially in the context of understanding plate tectonics and Earth's history.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,720, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.