Crustal evolution is the study of the processes and mechanisms that have shaped the Earth's crust over geologic time. This includes the formation, deformation, and modification of the Earth's crust through various geological processes such as plate tectonics, magmatism, metamorphism, and erosion. By studying the evolution of the Earth's crust, researchers can gain insights into the history of the Earth's geological and environmental conditions, as well as the development of continents, mountain ranges, and ocean basins. Crustal evolution research often involves the analysis of rock samples, geological mapping, geophysical surveys, and numerical modeling to reconstruct the geological history of a region or continent.