For the plasma sprayed as well as the EB-PVD thermal barrier coatings, the fracture paths within the oxidation products developed at the interface between the partially stabilized zirconia ceramic coating and NiCoCrAlY bond coat during cyclic thermal oxidation has been investigated. It was observed that the fracture in the oxidation products primarily took place within the oxide such as $Ni_{1-x}Co_3(Al_,Cr)_2O_4$ or at the interface between the oxide and $Al_2O_3$. It was found that Al2O3 developed first, followed by the Ni/Co/Cr rich oxides such as ,,$Ni_{1-x}Co_x(Al_,Cr)_2O_4$ $Cr_2O_3$and NiO at the interface between the ceramic coating and the bond coat in a cyclic high temperature environment. It was therfore concluded that the formation of the oxide containing Ni, Cr and Co was a life-limiting event for thermal barrier coatings during cyclic thermal oxidation.