What is metamorphism in petrology?

In geology: Metamorphic petrology. Metamorphism means change in form. In geology the term is used to refer to a solid-state recrystallization of earlier igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks.

What is known as petrology?

Petrology is the study of rocks – igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary – and the processes that form and transform them. Mineralogy is the study of the chemistry, crystal structure and physical properties of the mineral constituents of rocks.

What are the branches of petrology?

Petrology (from Ancient Greek πέτρος (pétros) ‘rock’, and λόγος (lógos) ‘account, explanation, narrative’) is the branch of geology that studies rocks and the conditions under which they form. Petrology has three subdivisions: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary petrology.

What does petrology mean in geography?

petrology, scientific study of rocks that deals with their composition, texture, and structure; their occurrence and distribution; and their origin in relation to physicochemical conditions and geologic processes. It is concerned with all three major types of rocks—igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.

Why is it important to study metamorphism?

physical and chemical changes that take place deep within Earth. The presence of index minerals in metamorphic rocks allows geologists to assess the temperatures and pressures the parent rock encountered. valuable, because metamorphic minerals and rocks have economic value.

What is metamorphic process?

Metamorphism is a process that changes preexisting rocks into new forms because of increases in temperature, pressure, and chemically active fluids. Metamorphism may affect igneous, sedimentary, or other metamorphic rocks.

What is petrology and its scope?

Petrology is the study of rocks, and, because most rocks are composed of minerals, petrology is strongly dependent on mineralogy. Fields of specialization in petrology correspond to the aforementioned three major rock types—igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

What is the difference between geology and petrology?

Geology is the scientific study of the structure and composition of the earth whereas petrology is a branch of geology that is concerned with the structure, composition, and distribution of rocks. This is the key difference between geology and petrology.

What is the importance of petrology?

Importance of Petrology Petrology plays an important role in ascertaining the physical and chemical composition of rocks and the different conditions that influence their formation. Modern petrologists rely on knowledge in mineralogy to help in mapping and sampling of rocks.

What is sedimentary petrology in geology?

Sedimentary petrology is the study of their occurrence, composition, texture, and other overall characteristics, while sedimentology emphasizes the processes by which sediments are transported and deposited.

What is metamorphism What are its causes?

Metamorphism is a process of mineral assemblage and texture variation that results from the physical-chemical changes of solid rocks, caused by factors such as crust movement, magma activity, or thermal fluid change in the earth.