Igneous petrology, also known as igneous rock studies, is a subfield of geology that focuses on the formation, structure, and composition of igneous rocks. These rocks make up a significant portion of Earth’s crust, and studying them provides crucial information about the evolution and history of our planet. Igneous rocks are formed when molten material, such as magma or lava, cools and solidifies. This process can occur both below and above the Earth’s surface.