High-Precision Delineation of Coal Fire Zone Boundaries Using a Ground-Based Distributed Wide-Field Electromagnetic Method: A Case Study of the Wucaiwan, Xinjiang

Coal fire zones represent both severe geological hazards and viable sources of clean geothermal energy for coal-fired power plant integration. However, the precise delineation of their boundaries remains a critical scientific deficit, hindering high-resolution exploration in complex terrains. To address this, the ground-based Distributed Wide-Field Electromagnetic Method (DWFEM) was employed to investigate a surface coal mine in Xinjiang. Leveraging its high anti-interference capability and lateral resolution, DWFEM enables us to obtain high-quality data, and create the construction of a 3D geoelectrical model to characterize subsurface structures. The results demonstrate that DWFEM effectively identifies the morphology of coal fire zones, revealing a distinct NE-SW trending fracture network which has width serving as geothermal reservoirs. Compared with conventional geological data, DWFEM provides a significantly more detailed characterization and resolves internal structures undetectable by traditional surveys. This study confirms the efficacy of DWFEM in anti-interference, lateral resolution, providing essential technical support for safe mining and geothermal development.