<p>The basic differences are:</p>

<p><strong>Geology</strong></p>

<ol>
<li>study of rocks and minerals: the study of the structure of the Earth or another planet, especially its rocks, soil, and minerals, and its history and origins</li>
<li>structure of area: the rocks, minerals, and physical structure of a specific area</li>
</ol>

<p><strong>Petrology</strong></p>

<ol>
<li>study of rocks: the study of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks with respect to their occurrence, structure, origin, history, and mineral content </li>
</ol>

<p><strong>Lithology</strong></p>

<ol>
<li>description of the physical characteristics of a rock unit or rock formation, and actually not a scientific discipline as the two above</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-05T09:04:57.073Z
I'd like to add that "petrologists" are usually considered to be scientists dealing with igneous and metamorphic rocks. If they are "sedimentary petrologists" there are usually just "sedimentologists".
Gimelist
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-17T14:13:17.113Z
Lithology refers to a type of rock or a rock unit (I never heard that it is a scientific branch).
tobias47n9e
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-17T14:22:25.723Z
Yes, Lithology is a scientific study, and considered as a separate branch of geology.
Ben A. Noone
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-17T14:24:20.613Z
My English is once again worse than I thought: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lithology
tobias47n9e
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-17T14:39:28.143Z
@Spießbürger - It's not your english.  I've never heard "lithology" referred to as a branch of geology.  Someone who studies the details of lithology calls themselves a "petrologist", not a "lithologist".
Joe Kington
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-17T14:45:59.803Z
@Joe Kington It might be a really old definition, because OED also has it: http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/109165?redirectedFrom=lithology#eid
tobias47n9e
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-18T01:28:13.440Z
I'm with Joe — I've never heard "lithology" used that way. I suggest editing the answer.
Matt Hall
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-18T02:49:07.897Z
edited for preference of more recent definitions.
Ben A. Noone
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-17T14:10:47.573Z
2014-11-29T11:36:59.930Z
2014-11-29T11:36:59.930Z
Ben A. Noone
<p>What differences are there between  geology, petrology, and lithology?</p>

<p>If I were to get into any of those fields, what exactly would I be studying?</p>

<p>Also, are petrology and lithology just branches of geology?</p>

<geology><petrology>
What are the differences between geology, petrology, and lithology?
Azzie Rogers
# What are the differences between geology, petrology, and lithology?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-04-17)

What differences are there between geology, petrology, and lithology?

If I were to get into any of those fields, what exactly would I be studying?

Also, are petrology and lithology just branches of geology?

**Tags:** geology, petrology


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-04-17. Score: 19 | Accepted answer

The basic differences are:

**Geology**

1. study of rocks and minerals: the study of the structure of the Earth or another planet, especially its rocks, soil, and minerals, and its history and origins
2. structure of area: the rocks, minerals, and physical structure of a specific area

**Petrology**

1. study of rocks: the study of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks with respect to their occurrence, structure, origin, history, and mineral content

**Lithology**

1. description of the physical characteristics of a rock unit or rock formation, and actually not a scientific discipline as the two above

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Lithology refers to a type of rock or a rock unit (I never heard that it is a scientific branch).  
> **username_1**: Yes, Lithology is a scientific study, and considered as a separate branch of geology.  
> **username_3**: My English is once again worse than I thought: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lithology  
> **username_4**: @Spießbürger - It's not your english.  I've never heard "lithology" referred to as a branch of geology.  Someone who studies the details of lithology calls themselves a "petrologist", not a "lithologist".  
> **username_3**: @username_4 It might be a really old definition, because OED also has it: http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/109165?redirectedFrom=lithology#eid  
> **username_5**: I'm with Joe — I've never heard "lithology" used that way. I suggest editing the answer.  
> **username_1**: edited for preference of more recent definitions.  
> **username_2**: I'd like to add that "petrologists" are usually considered to be scientists dealing with igneous and metamorphic rocks. If they are "sedimentary petrologists" there are usually just "sedimentologists".  

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