Obstacles

Types of Obstacles
There are 5 Types of rock that act as a hinderance. They are ranked in increasing strength:

1. White Boulder

2. Turquoise Boulder

3. Green Rock

4. Red Rock

5. Scarlet Magma

Treasure Chests qualify as obstacles and can be blown up by Dynamite. Since the chest outer casing is separate from the real treasure inside, you can still collect the item even if Dynamite is used.

Gem Crowns and HeadStarts also qualify as obstacles, however, blowing these up with Dynamite will fail to give you any rewards.

Change in Rock
At greater depth, the rock you encounter will increase in strength; more power will be required to break through the same type of rock even if it looks the same. Overall there will be greater formation of Red Rock and Scarlet Magma too, which are the strongest type of obstacles.

Breaking Through Obstacles
As you dig onto rock, your Dwarf will be blocked and unable to dig down. The Dwarf will also lose health based on the strength of the rock. The shorter duration you are engaged with the rock, less health will be lost. Take note that you will need to clear two spaces of rock to fit through, both vertically and horizontally.

Brute Force
If you find it difficult to break through obstacles, the primary way is to increase the Power of your Shovels. This is the most effective way in the long run.

Dynamite
Blowing up rock is very effective if there is a single target you want to focus on. However, in the case of Gem Crowns or HeadStarts the use of Dynamite is risky as you wouldn't want to detonate such valuable rewards.

Abilities
Abilities that can augment your power are your safest bet, such as Charged Strike or Busy Power. If you are heading for a Danger Zone be sure to save some mana for that. Other abilities that destroy whole sections of rock are also feasible such as Flame Burst or Ice Path as they will not affect Gem Crowns or HeadStarts.