Elastic Rebound Theory

In 1906, Henry Fielding Reid,

Professor of Geology at Johns
Hopkins University, concluded that
the earthquake must have involved an
"elastic rebound" of previously stored
elastic stress.
The gradual accumulation and release
of stress and strain is called the
"elastic rebound theory" of
earthquakes.
 Elastic Rebound Theory
1. Stress on a fault slowly
accumulates within the rocks
2. Earthquake occurs when shear
stress exceeds shear strength of
the rocks along the fault
3. After an earthquake, stress begins
to re-accumulate