Objective In response to the current situation of insufficient exploration and research on dry hot rock resources in Guangxi, this study focuses on carrying out comprehensive geophysical exploration and comprehensive research in the southeastern Guangxi region to explore its dry hot rock resource potential, further improve the research work level in this field in the region, and assist in the transformation and upgrading of Guangxi's energy structure.

Methods Based on the characteristics of the geophysical field in the study area, magnetotelluric methods are comprehensively used to carry out deep exploration work. Combined with the geological research achievements of dry hot rocks, the regional faults and deep heat source channels are systematically analyzed. Through the coupling analysis of geophysical and geothermal geological data, the burial depth of deep structural planes and the possibility of the existence of hidden rock masses are discussed.

Results Through research and analysis, multiple deep and large faults are identified as deep heat source channels, and hidden rock masses are found at the bottom of the Xichang Basin, with a burial depth of 3~5 km and a scale of hundreds of square kilometers. According to the thermal reservoir method estimation, the dry hot rock resource amount in the Xichang Basin is 182.48×10¹⁵ J, equivalent to 622.63×10⁴ tons of standard coal. Calculated based on a 20% recovery rate, the recoverable amount of dry hot rock resources is 36.5×10¹⁵ J, equivalent to 124.53×10⁴ tons of standard coal, accounting for 3.31% of the total energy production in Guangxi in 2018.

Conclusions The geothermal resources of dry hot rocks in the southeastern Guangxi region have a superior prospect, and the Xichang Basin is an ideal favorable remote exploration area, with the value of carrying out further investigation, exploration, and development and utilization.