<p>This study investigates the instability characteristics of dynamic disasters resulting from disruption caused by extracting resources underground. Utilizing the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) system, the dynamic response mechanism of coal energy evolution is examined, and the energy instability criterion is established. The validity of the instability criterion is explored from the standpoint of damage progression. The results demonstrate that the energy conversion mechanism undergoes a fundamental alternation under impact disturbance. Moreover, the energy release rate as well as the energy dissipation rate undergo comparable changes across distinct levels of impact disturbance. The distinction between the energy release rate and the energy dissipation rate (DRD) increases as coal mass deformation grows. Prior to coal facing instability and failure, the DRD experienced an inflection point followed by a sharp decrease. In conjunction with the discussion on the damage evolution, the physical and mechanical significance of DRD remains clear, which can essentially describe the whole impact loading process. The phenomenon that the inflection point appears and DRD subsequently suddenly decreases can be employed as the energy criterion prior to the failure of instability. Furthermore, this paper provides significant reference for the prediction of dynamic instability of coal under dynamic disturbance.</p>