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Which branches of science are included in geology?

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Faux amphibolite — geology A rock formation called “faux amphibolite,” from the Nuvvuagittuq greenstone belt in northern Quebec, dated to 4.28 billion years ago.

Geology is the scientific study of the solid Earth, encompassing a wide range of specialized disciplines that analyze its composition, structure, and history. These branches include:12

Mineralogy and Petrology: The study of minerals and the three primary rock types—igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic—including their geochemistry and classification.12
Structural Geology: The investigation of rock deformation and the mechanisms that form structures like folds and faults.1
Geophysics: The application of physical techniques, such as seismology and gravimetric analysis, to explore the Earth's deep interior and physical properties.12
Geomorphology: The study of surface processes, such as weathering and erosion, that shape the Earth's landscapes.12
Geologic History: Disciplines that reconstruct Earth's past, including stratigraphy (the study of rock layers), paleontology (the study of fossils), and geochronology (the dating of rocks).12
Astrogeology: The study of the rock records on the Moon, planets, and other celestial bodies.12

Additionally, applied geology utilizes these fields to address practical societal needs, such as resource exploration and hazard mitigation.12