What is the scientific study of earthquakes and seismic waves known as?

The scientific study of earthquakes and seismic waves is known as seismology. This field specifically focuses on understanding how seismic waves are generated, how they travel through the Earth, and their effects on the Earth's surface. Seismologists use various tools such as seismographs to measure and record the vibrations caused by earthquakes, which helps in predicting future seismic activity and understanding the Earth's internal structure.

In the context of the other fields listed, geology is the broader study of the Earth, including its materials, processes, and history, but it does not exclusively focus on seismic activity. Petrology is the study of rocks, their origins, and their transformations, while volcanology is dedicated to the study of volcanoes and related phenomena. Each of these fields may intersect with seismology in certain aspects, such as understanding earthquakes related to volcanic activity, but none specifically focus on the study of seismic waves and earthquakes as seismology does.