Abstract: In order to explore the unlocking mechanism of rockburst induced by stress wave of high energy release in deep coal and rock mass near the mining space, based on the analysis of the energy storage and release characteristics in coal and rock mass around the mining space, through establishing the stress wave propagation model in coal mass, the instability of coal-rock structure nearby the mining space was studied using the solid stress wave propagation theory. The results indicate that the deep coal and rock mass is the energy storage element which can produce energy release and the nearby coal and rock structure is the locking body that controls the energy release. The shear failure and the tension failure are formed induced by stress wave of energy release in deep coal mass, thereby the unlocking process for the deep energy release is completed and the lateral restraint resistance suddenly drops in the coal seam. Unlock mechanism of stress wave can better explain two types of rockburst on the spot: rockburst of material instability and rockburst of slip-faulting. The results of the study have a certain significance to deepen the understanding of the whole process of rockburst and the control of rockburst.