forms of energy can be stored in the Earth's crust and released during earthquakes?

The energy that is stored in the Earth's crust and released during earthquakes is primarily in two forms:

1. Potential Energy: This is the energy stored due to the positioning of the tectonic plates. The Earth's crust is divided into several large and small pieces, known as tectonic plates. These plates are constantly moving, albeit very slowly. When these plates collide or slide past each other, they can get stuck due to friction. However, the rest of the plate continues to move, causing deformation and building up potential energy.

2. Kinetic Energy: When the stress on the crust exceeds the strength of the rocks, the potential energy is then converted into kinetic energy. This is the energy of motion, which causes the shaking we feel during an earthquake.

In addition to these, some of the energy is also converted into heat and sound energy.