Why Study Petrology?

If you are reading this, you already have some reason for looking at a website about igneous and metamorphic rocks. Therefore, you probably already have an answer to the question "Why study petrology?" If so, and if you are satisfied with the answers you have, skip this topic and move on to other topics, or diagrams, or tools, or the rock library. Choose from the menu items on the sidebar.

However, if you are not yet sure of the benefits of studying igneous and metamorphic rocks, help is offered here. If you need motivation, click on the "Motivation Needed" button to see some examples of things that excite petrologists, some of the questions that petrology can address.

  

Alternatively, you might wish to hear what others who have studied petrology say when asked, "Why study petrology?" Click on the "Expert Opinions" button and then choose from a list of petrologists who have provided answers.