diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index 8716af7be..02d7f3b31 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -995,7 +995,8 @@ extern boolean test_move(coordxy, coordxy, coordxy, coordxy, int);
 extern int wiz_debug_cmd_traveldisplay(void);
 #endif
 extern boolean u_rooted(void);
-extern void check_buried_zombies(coordxy, coordxy);
+extern void impact_disturbs_zombies(struct obj *, boolean);
+extern void disturb_buried_zombies(coordxy, coordxy);
 extern boolean u_maybe_impaired(void);
 extern const char *u_locomotion(const char *);
 extern void handle_tip(int);
diff --git a/src/do.c b/src/do.c
index 9f8492316..89160df58 100644
--- a/src/do.c
+++ b/src/do.c
@@ -305,7 +305,6 @@ flooreffects(struct obj *obj, coordxy x, coordxy y, const char *verb)
                && cansee(x,y)) {
         doaltarobj(obj);
     }
-    check_buried_zombies(x, y);
 
     gb.bhitpos = save_bhitpos;
     return res;
@@ -779,6 +778,7 @@ dropz(struct obj *obj, boolean with_impact)
         place_object(obj, u.ux, u.uy);
         if (with_impact)
             container_impact_dmg(obj, u.ux, u.uy);
+        impact_disturbs_zombies(obj, with_impact);
         if (obj == uball)
             drop_ball(u.ux, u.uy);
         else if (gl.level.flags.has_shop)
diff --git a/src/dokick.c b/src/dokick.c
index 8fc658576..b9935f11b 100644
--- a/src/dokick.c
+++ b/src/dokick.c
@@ -627,6 +627,7 @@ really_kick_object(coordxy x, coordxy y)
         }
         if (!flooreffects(gk.kickedobj, u.ux, u.uy, "fall")) {
             place_object(gk.kickedobj, u.ux, u.uy);
+            impact_disturbs_zombies(gk.kickedobj, TRUE);
             stackobj(gk.kickedobj);
             newsym(u.ux, u.uy);
         }
@@ -770,6 +771,7 @@ really_kick_object(coordxy x, coordxy y)
             donate_gold(gtg, shkp, FALSE);
     }
     place_object(gk.kickedobj, gb.bhitpos.x, gb.bhitpos.y);
+    impact_disturbs_zombies(gk.kickedobj, TRUE);
     stackobj(gk.kickedobj);
     newsym(gk.kickedobj->ox, gk.kickedobj->oy);
     return 1;
diff --git a/src/dothrow.c b/src/dothrow.c
index 4a57a0804..f2417169d 100644
--- a/src/dothrow.c
+++ b/src/dothrow.c
@@ -1777,9 +1777,11 @@ throwit(struct obj *obj,
         /* container contents might break;
            do so before turning ownership of gt.thrownobj over to shk
            (container_impact_dmg handles item already owned by shop) */
-        if (!IS_SOFT(levl[gb.bhitpos.x][gb.bhitpos.y].typ))
+        if (!IS_SOFT(levl[gb.bhitpos.x][gb.bhitpos.y].typ)) {
             /* <x,y> is spot where you initiated throw, not gb.bhitpos */
             container_impact_dmg(obj, u.ux, u.uy);
+            impact_disturbs_zombies(obj, TRUE);
+        }
         /* charge for items thrown out of shop;
            shk takes possession for items thrown into one */
         if ((*u.ushops || obj->unpaid) && obj != uball)
diff --git a/src/hack.c b/src/hack.c
index c466e5583..f4877bca5 100644
--- a/src/hack.c
+++ b/src/hack.c
@@ -291,6 +291,15 @@ moverock(void)
                 goto cannot_push;
             }
 
+            if (closed_door(rx, ry))
+                goto nopushmsg;
+
+            /* at this point the boulder should be able to move (though
+               potentially into something like a trap, pool, or lava) */
+
+            /* rumbling disturbs buried zombies */
+            disturb_buried_zombies(sx, sy);
+
             if (ttmp) {
                 int newlev = 0; /* lint suppression */
                 d_level dest;
@@ -401,8 +410,6 @@ moverock(void)
                 }
             }
 
-            if (closed_door(rx, ry))
-                goto nopushmsg;
             if (boulder_hits_pool(otmp, rx, ry, TRUE))
                 continue;
 
@@ -1592,9 +1599,20 @@ u_rooted(void)
     return FALSE;
 }
 
+/* maybe disturb buried zombies when an object is dropped or thrown nearby */
+void
+impact_disturbs_zombies(struct obj *obj, boolean violent)
+{
+    /* if object won't make a noticeable impact, let buried zombies rest */
+    if (obj->owt < (violent ? 10 : 100) || is_flimsy(obj))
+        return;
+
+    disturb_buried_zombies(obj->ox, obj->oy);
+}
+
 /* reduce zombification timeout of buried zombies around px, py */
 void
-check_buried_zombies(coordxy x, coordxy y)
+disturb_buried_zombies(coordxy x, coordxy y)
 {
     struct obj *otmp;
     long t;
@@ -2601,7 +2619,7 @@ domove_core(void)
     }
 
     if (!Levitation && !Flying && !Stealth)
-        check_buried_zombies(u.ux, u.uy);
+        disturb_buried_zombies(u.ux, u.uy);
 
     if (hides_under(gy.youmonst.data) || gy.youmonst.data->mlet == S_EEL
         || u.dx || u.dy)
diff --git a/src/mon.c b/src/mon.c
index 965a29d3d..98e9e9375 100644
--- a/src/mon.c
+++ b/src/mon.c
@@ -4033,6 +4033,7 @@ wake_nearto(coordxy x, coordxy y, int distance)
             }
         }
     }
+    disturb_buried_zombies(x, y);
 }
 
 /* NOTE: we must check for mimicry before calling this routine */