Abstract: The cusp model of catastrophe theory and its expression are mentioned in this paper. The seismic record is transformed into the normal form of cusp catastrophe. Catastrophic potential, catastrophic time and so on are calculated in time domain and in frequency domain. Analysis of catastrophic anomalies can better reflect the discontinuity of coal seam. Comparing the effect of the theories of coherence and catastrophe in reflecting coal seam discontinuity, advantages and disadvantages of these two techniques were analyzed. Finally attempting to attribute catastrophe parameters with coherence and getting the new sections can reflect the distribution of zones rich in faults and fractures in coal seams. The study indicates that using catastrophe parameters to detect faults is feasible and catastrophe theory provides a new method for coal seam discontinuity detection.