Final answer:
The statement is false because rocks exhibiting elastic strain will recover their original form upon release of the applied stress, provided the elastic limit is not exceeded.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'rocks exhibiting elastic strain do not recover their original form upon release of the applied stress' is false. When rocks experience elastic strain, they deform but return to their original shape once the stress is removed, provided the rock has not exceeded its elastic limit. Beyond the elastic limit, rocks undergo plastic deformation, meaning they will not recover their original shape after the stress is removed. This plastic deformation can involve bending into folds or fracturing. The type of deformation - elastic or plastic - largely depends on factors such as the nature of the stress, rock type, temperature, pressure conditions, and how long the rock is subjected to the stress. Rocks at depth tend to behave more plastically, while those near the Earth's surface are more likely to exhibit brittle behavior like fracturing.