Sonic disruption

Sonic disruption is an application in the field of acoustics which applies the use of ultrasonics to disrupt matter. Such an effect is produced by sonic disruptors on their higher settings, or by certain improvised configurations.

In 2267, Kirk and Spock were able to use two communicators to disrupt a weakness in a cliff face, causing a rockfall. They accomplished the feat by using sound beams to produce a sympathetic vibration on the weak area of the slide. 

Around that same time, most of the actual weaponry in use by the civilization of Eminiar VII operated on this principle. During an attack on the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), the Eminians fired extremely powerful sonic vibrations, at a level of 18 to the 12th power decibels. The attack would have been successful at sonically disrupting the Enterprise had it not had its screens employed.