Abstract: So far, most of the researches on karst collapses have focused on shallow karst of less than 100 m in depth, while the deep covered karst collapses of more than 100 m in depth were seldom examined. Therefore, there are no mature survey methods and standards. Considering the cost and applicability of geophysical methods, the deep karst collapses are investigated indirectly because of the large thickness of overburden. In this paper, an application example in the eastern part of the Beijing plain is given. Considering the main controlling factors of deep covered karst collapses, including fractures, fragmentation degree of the carbonate rock roof, thickness of the overburden cover, and properties of the soil layer at the bottom of overburden, the authors discuss the applicability of five geophysical methods, including the high-precision gravity survey, anti-interference electric sounding, controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellrics (CSAMT), microtremor survey and high-density resistivity method. The results show that in the geophysical investigation of deep karst collapses in the plain area, the better methods of fracture geometry features detection are the gravity survey and CSAMT. The anti-interference electric sounding and CSAMT are good at detecting fragmentation degree of the carbonate rock roof, and the suitable methods of overburden thickness detection are CSAMT, microtremor survey and high-density resistivity method. The methods of overburden structure detection give high priority to the microtremor survey and resistivity method.