The localization damage and deformation characteristics of multiple rock in mined-out area under thick soil layer were investigated by acoustic emission (AE)-based physical similar simulation experiment and damage test combined with the AE theory on rock damage. During different mining courses, the degree of wall rock suffered from mining disturbed process in mined-out area was different, so did the AE density of initial damage and fracture. Some characteristic parameters, including large events, total events, and energy rate, presented fluctuations with temporal and spatial change and take on a certain extent statistic relation. Subsequently, the percent of damage degree was defined and divided into 4 stages, and the localization damage and deformation character- istics of surrounding rock in mined-out area and coal pillars were analyzed quantitatively.
