Abstract: The collapse column damages the continuity of coal seams, and connects the adjacent water-rich layers, it has been considered as one of the most important factors restricting the effective CBM exploration and development. To improve the exploration efficiency and avoid risks, authors in this paper systematically analyze and study the origin mechanism and conditions, the profile shape and seism reflection features, distribution regularity and effect factors of karst collapse in coal measure strata in Zhengzhuang Block in Qinshui Basin. With a large-scale structure overthrew from southwest area to northeast, the collapse columns present ribbon distribution from north to east, and crowd in the east and west. This is caused by inequality of Ordovician limestone deposits, strong water runoff direction underground of the area, and regional structural background; and it has nothing to do with the trend of local drape

Key words: coalbed methane, collapse column, origin mechanism, distribution regularity, Zhengzhuang Block