Petrology is the study of rocks and is a subfield of geology. Petrologists study rock formation, composition, weathering, and use. They can work in laboratories, fields, and classrooms, and may specialize in sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic petrology. Petrology is applied in industries such as mining and petroleum, and petrologists can also work as consultants or curators. Advanced degrees can lead to more career opportunities.
Petrology is the study of rocks. This field is considered a subfield of geology or earth sciences, and people in this field are known as petrologists. There are numerous applications for petrology, including laboratory, field, and classroom opportunities for individuals with petrology degrees. Individuals interested in working in this field may receive training at colleges and universities with petrology departments and may wish to consider obtaining advanced degrees so that more career opportunities are available.
Researchers in this field are interested in how rocks are formed, what they contain, how changes in conditions during formation can lead to changes in composition and structure, how rocks weather, and how they can be used. In the field, petrology may involve the identification of various rock types, along with the study of rock layers and various geological structures. Petrologists can use a variety of technologies to take core samples and conduct imaging studies that allow them to see into the earth’s crust.
In the laboratory, some petrologists do things like synthesize rocks and manipulate conditions in the laboratory to experiment with formation in different types of environments. In this subfield, known as experimental petrology, researchers can test duplicate hypotheses or conditions found in nature to learn more about the rock formation process. Laboratories also have equipment that can be used to analyze rock samples, such as mass spectrometers that can be used to identify a rock’s composition.
People may use the terms sedimentary petrology, igneous petrology, and metamorphic petrology to describe different areas of study within this field, which focus on the three major rock types. Sometimes, there is some overlap between petrologists with different areas of interest, as rocks are rarely restricted to neat categories for the convenience of scientists. Depending on your area of interest, field opportunities can be found anywhere from active volcanoes to the desert.
In industry, petrology is applied by numerous mining companies and in the petroleum industry. Specialists in this field can also act as consultants to people like sculptors and masons who want to learn more about the materials they work with, and can work with engineers on projects involving rock. Petrologists may also work as curators in facilities that preserve rock specimens for historic value or study opportunities, maintaining collections and working with individuals interested in viewing rock specimen collections.
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