Download Elastic rebound acti..

Step 1. Build a fence across a fault.
Step 2. The plates move past each other at a given rate. The fault is locked, so the crust
deforms elsatically. The fence is bent in relation to the elastic deformation of the crust.
Step 3. The strain from the fault exceeds the strength of the fault and the fault slips,
causing an earthquake.
Step 4. The elastically deformed rock flexes back to its pre-strained shape. The observation is that the fence is straight again, yet offset.
The winch represents the ongoing plate motion (e.g. mantle shear upon the crust). The
bungee cord represents the elastic properties of the crust. The sand paper represents
the friction force along the fault.