This paper is the result of geological survey engineering. Objective Karst collapse is one of the main environmental geological problems in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Conducting research on the distribution, causes, and impact on engineering construction of karst collapse in the Yangtze River Economic Belt is of great significance for the geological environment safety guarantee faced by the construction of multimodal transport corridor and urbanization in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Methods This article systematically summarizes the survey results of karst collapse implemented by China Geological Survey since 2016, including the geological background, cause types and mechanisms, development and distribution patterns, impact on engineering construction, and prevention and control measures of karst collapse. Results The research results indicate that the area of potential karst collapse in the Yangtze River Economic Belt is about 254000 square kilometers, with 2146 documented karst collapse disasters events. Mine drainage, pumping and engineering construction are the main inducing factors for karst collapse in this area. The karst collapse in the Yangtze River Economic Belt has the following formation and distribution characteristics: firstly, it has regional and zonal distribution characteristics; The second is that the underlying strata are generally homogeneous pure carbonate rocks, distributed along strong karstification zones such as fault fracture zones, the axis of strata fold and contact zones between soluble and non-soluble rocks; Thirdly, it often occurs in areas with large amplitude, high speed, and high frequency of groundwater level fluctuation such as concentrated flow zone of karst and river terraces; Finally, it often occurs in areas with strong human engineering activities, and the scale and quantity mainly depend on the type and intensity of human activities. In order to reduce the impact of karst collapse on engineering, this article also proposes relevant suggestions and countermeasures. Conclusions The karst collapse in the Yangtze River Economic Belt is widely distributed and has a great impact. The planning and construction of linear engineering and Megalopolis in high risk areas should pay attention to this issue. The research results can provide basic support and theoretical basis for the spatial planning of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the prevention and control of geological disasters.