Variation of coal seam thickness and control factors in Xin'an coal field in western Henan

Variation of coal seam thickness of Xin’an coalfield in western Henan has effect on coal and gas outburst.In combination with statistical analysis, sedimentary environment analysis and structural analysis, the paper studied the regularities and causes of variation of coal seam thickness.The results show that the thickness of coal seam is mainly controlled by the initial substrate and the ancient river erosion in coal-forming period as well as gliding structure.According to the regularities and the causes of coal seam thickness variation, it is possible to predict coal seam thickness variation locally, coal seam, but difficult to predict coal seam thickness variation regionally.