Elasticity in geology refers to the property of rocks to deform under stress and return to their original shape when the stress is removed, as long as the stress does not exceed the material’s elastic limit. This concept is fundamental in understanding the behavior of rocks under tectonic forces, the propagation of seismic waves, and the mechanics of earthquakes.
Reference: Jaeger, J. C., Cook, N. G. W., & Zimmerman, R. W. (2007). “Fundamentals of Rock Mechanics.” Wiley-Blackwell.