Abstract: In the coal mining production process, gas hazards in the goaf area are a major threat to safe coal mining operations.Due to the coal mining activities, the coal seam space is disturbed, resulting in a significant increase in coal seam fractures, and the gas originally stored in the coal seam will pour into the goaf area in large quantities.To achieve effective gas control in the goaf area, it is necessary to conduct in-depth research on the “three zones” characteristics and fracture development patterns formed after the overlying rock collapse during the mining process of the working face.We take the N1100 working face of the Yuwu Coal Mine as the research object, using the UDEC simulation software to simulate the overlying rock failure during the mining process of the working face, and analyze the distribution characteristics and fracture development patterns of the “three zones.” The research results show that the height of the collapse zone is about 13 m, the height of the fracture zone is about 60～70 m, and the fracture zone exhibits a “trapezoidal” development pattern.At the same time, a compaction zone is formed in the middle of the goaf area, where fractures are compressed and compacted.