GIS-Based Preliminary Evaluation for Exploration and Development of Hot Dry Rock Resources in the Central-Southern Subei Basin

Hot dry rock (HDR), characterized by high temperature, vast reserves, and significant development potential, is one of the most important clean energy sources for the future. This study focuses on the Jianhu Uplift and Dongtai Depression in the southern part of the Subei Basin as the research area, conducting systematic target optimization research on HDR geothermal resources within the Cambrian–Ordovician carbonate strata. By systematically compiling regional geothermal geological data, an evaluation index system for target optimization of geothermal resources was established, incorporating two categories of indicators: resource conditions (thermal reservoir temperature and roof burial depth) and environmental impact (urban area safety distance and fault safety distance). Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and GIS spatial overlay analysis, the study area was evaluated for HDR geothermal resource exploration zoning, ultimately delineating three levels of preferred zones. The evaluation results indicate that the target area of the Cambrian–Ordovician geothermal reservoir is extensive, with the Dongtai Depression exhibiting a larger distribution of preferred zones. This study provides a reference for the optimization of target areas in geothermal resource exploration and development.