Describe how elastic rebound results in the transfer of energy as seismic waves?

The elastic rebound theory explains how energy is stored in rocks as they deform under stress until they reach a breaking point. When the rocks finally fracture along a fault line, the accumulated energy is released suddenly, causing the rocks to snap back to their original shape. This rapid release of energy generates seismic waves that propagate through the Earth, leading to the shaking felt during an earthquake. Thus, the elastic rebound process is key to the transfer of energy that produces seismic activity.