The Elastic Rebound Theory

The Elastic Rebound Theory explains how earthquakes occur. It suggests that tectonic plates are constantly under stress as they grind against each other. Over time, rocks bend and store elastic energy like a stretched rubber band. When the stress exceeds the rocks’ strength, they suddenly break and slip along a fault line, releasing the stored energy. This rapid release causes the ground to shake—an earthquake. Afterward, the rocks settle into a new, less-stressed position, ready to repeat the cycle over time.