Wikipedia
A rock burst is a spontaneous, violent fracture of rock that can occur in deep mines. The opening of a mine shaft relieves neighboring rocks of tremendous pressure, which can literally cause the rock to explode as it attempts to re-establish equilibrium. Rock bursts are a serious hazard; in South Africa, they kill roughly 20 miners each year. Rock bursts basically depend on the size and depth of the excavation.
Usage examples of "rock burst".
A moment later, a shower of rock burst toward them, revealing a connection to another chamber that had been concealed by the rockfall.
The very rock burst in droplets of glassy slag splashing high in the air and even back into the war-car to pop against the metal.
The rock burst into pieces and more of the obsidian avatar's face cracked.
Great fragments of rock burst from the plateau, tearing with them huge chunks of vegetation.
On the final day of their descent, the mountain had erupted above them, and a spray of molten rock burst forth.
Clouds whipped around them, there was a horrible feeling of heaviness, and suddenly the rock burst into sunlight.