In the process of coal seam mining, when the roadway or mining face is near the subsidence column, the surrounding rock is damaged due to stress damage and the channel conducts water, which endangers the mine safety. The Datong Coalfield(North District) is located on the northern edge of the North China platform. The karst water system is of a unique nature of hidden drainage. The subsidence columns were basically concealed. Most of them had no warning before the underground exposure. The typical hidden subsidence columns + fracture development zone water inrush channels were more difficult to explore and manage. The development features of the subsidence columns in this area are mostly circular in the north, with a small and concentrated distribution pattern, and mostly oval in the south, with a large and sparse distribution pattern,the genesis of the northern part of the zone was mainly related to lithology and runoff conditions, and the southern part was closely related to the structure. Familiar with the development characteristics of Karst collapse columns and understanding its genesis provided an important basis for the exploration of collapse columns and prevention measures. Analyzing the cause of the problem in advance to prevent and control the mine water damage are was of great significance to the safety of coal mine production.