Investigation and Evaluation of Geothermal Resources in Northern Shanxi Province, China

Zhongxu Lu, Yang Yang (), Yajun Mo, Haizhi Liao () and Youlian Cai
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Zhongxu Lu: College of Earth Sciences, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China
Yang Yang: Department of Geology and Surveying Engineering, Shanxi Institute of Energy, Jinzhong 030600, China
Yajun Mo: Geophysical Survey Institute of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Liuzhou 541006, China
Haizhi Liao: Geophysical Survey Institute of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Liuzhou 541006, China
Youlian Cai: Guangxi Shuangke Construction Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd., Nanning 530009, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-16

Abstract: In this study, survey methods including seismic techniques and controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric, drilling, and pumping tests were employed to investigate the geothermal systems and their formation mechanisms in northern Shanxi Province, China. The following characteristics were observed: (1) Geothermal resources in northern Shanxi Province are primarily located in Archean metamorphic rocks and fracture zone aquifer groups. The direct heat source is likely uncooled magma chambers in the middle-upper crust, whereas the overlying layers consist of Quaternary, Neogene, and Paleogene deposits. (2) The high-temperature geothermal system is of the convective-conductive type: atmospheric precipitation and surface water infiltrate pore spaces and fault fractures to reach thermal storage, where they are heated. Hot water then rises along the fracture channels and emerges as shallow hot springs, and ongoing extensional tectonic activity has caused asthenospheric upwelling. The partial melting of the upper mantle forms basic basaltic magma, which ascends to the middle-upper crust and forms multiple magma chambers. Their heat is transferred to the shallow subsurface, causing geothermal anomalies. (3) Borehole YG-1 findings revealed that these geothermal resources are primarily static reserves. Our findings provide a foundation for further geothermal development in the region, including the strategic deployment of wells to improve geothermal energy extraction.

Keywords: geothermal; Shanxi Province; seismic exploration; controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric (CSAMT); formation mechanism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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