In geology, the elastic rebound theory is a theory which tries to explain why earthquakes occur.

In the theory, fault movements are based on the ability of rock to stick to each other while under stress. When the stress becomes too great then the rocks separate and an earthquake results.The energy is released in the same way that energy would be released in letting go of a stretched elastic. Sometimes this movement is so great that the topography of the land is altered - such as the formation of a fault scarp .