ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Petrology

Petrology is the study of rocks. Just like how we have different types of toys like balls, dolls, and blocks, rocks are also different from each other. Petrologists are people who try to understand the different kinds of rocks and why they are different.

There are three main types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous rocks are made from melted rock that has cooled and hardened, like when your ice cream melts and then gets hard again in the freezer. Sedimentary rocks are made from small pieces of other rocks that have stuck together, like when you make a sandcastle at the beach. Metamorphic rocks are made from other rocks that have changed because of heat and pressure, like when you mash Play-Doh and it changes shape.

Petrologists look at rocks under a microscope and study their properties like color, texture, and composition. They also look at where the rocks are located, like deep under the ground or at the surface of the Earth. This helps them understand how the rocks were formed and what kind of environment they were formed in.

By studying rocks, petrologists can learn about the history of the Earth and how it has changed over time. They can also learn about natural resources like oil, gas, and minerals that are found in rocks. So, if you ever want to learn about rocks, you can be a petrologist too!
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