Editorial: Geophysical electromagnetic exploration theory, technology and application

Geophysical electromagnetic exploration has emerged as a fundamental method in mineral exploration, geological mapping, groundwater detection, and environmental monitoring (Paine and Collins, 2003;Viezzoli et al., 2009; Delsman et al., 2018). Despite its widespread use, this technique faces ongoing challenges as the demand for greater exploration depth, higher data resolution, and more reliable interpretations continues to grow. Recent years have seen significant progress across both theoretical and technological fronts, driving the continuous evolution of innovative electromagnetic exploration methods, key technologies, and practical applications (Auken et al., 2015;Li et al., 2023;Zhang et al., 2025). At present, the field is undergoing a critical phase of development, marked by the deep integration of theoretical research, computational techniques, and engineering technologies. This convergence opens new avenues for tackling the increasingly complex challenges of subsurface exploration. The special issue Geophysical Electromagnetic Exploration: Theory, Technology, and Applications aims to comprehensively review and present the latest advancements in the field, focusing on key areas such as emerging theoretical frameworks, innovative numerical simulation methods, and advanced inversion techniques. This issue includes 13 academic papers covering a wide range of cutting-edge topics, including fundamental anisotropic modeling, artificial intelligence-driven inversion, deep mantle imaging, and urban seismic risk assessment.Together, these contributions push the boundaries of innovation in the theoretical, methodological, and applied aspects of geophysical electromagnetic exploration.Liu and Gao introduce a 3D finite-difference forward modeling algorithm for tensor-controlled source audio magnetotellurics (CSAMT) in axis-anisotropic media.Using this method, they conduct a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of 3D tensor CSAMT responses in such media.