Coal mining generates mining subsidence, which is a primary environmental geological challenge. Obtaining subsidence deformation parameters is critical to promote mining damage reduction, ecological environmental protection, and restoration. Loose layer deformation has emerged as a critical research area for ecological restoration in high-dive level mining areas in the east, and the protection of ecologically fragile areas in the west. This study presents a detailed quantitative analysis of the main research forces, research hotspots, and current trends in the last 30 years, utilizing bibliometric software for visual analysis. The analysis indicates that numerous scholars have made significant progress in understanding the deformation law of loose layers through theoretical analysis, indoor experiments, numerical simulations, and in-situ measurements. This progress has resulted in an in-depth understanding of the deformation law of loose layers. Based on multidisciplinary intersection and the development of theoretical research, this study proposes a multi-method joint establishment of high-precision dynamic monitoring, development and innovation of testing equipment and technology, and the construction and operation of an integrated monitoring platform of "air-sky-ground-hole". These efforts will further our understanding of the internal deformation characteristics and transmission mechanism of the loose layer, providing basic data and scientific support for the implementation of "source control" and "process management" in the concept of mining and environmental management of mining areas. At the same time, it can also provide a method for exploring the evaluation of geological conditions for CO₂ sequestration.