Abstract: In order to study the influence of the overlying strata movement characteristics and the intensity of movement on the pressure relief effect of the overlying protected strata. Taking Sihe No.2 well as the experimental mine, field test and mechanical model analysis of the settlement patterns of immediate roof, basic roof and hard rock stratum of the overlying strata were carried out. The results show that: the vertical roof caving occurs behind the working face, and the lower part caving first and the upper part caving lagging; the main key stratum is similar to the basic roof rock stratum, however, the settlement amount and settlement intensity are smaller than that of the lower strata, and no stratification or fracture occurs inside the main stratum. It is the whole layer of settlement; the movement of the basic roof is divided into three stages, and the farther the monitoring borehole is from the coal working face, the larger the settlement value; with the increase distance of roof height from the stope, the intensity affected by stope is also decreasing.