This study employed electromagnetic pulse welding (EMPW) to join LA103Z magnesium-lithium alloy and 1060Al as dissimilar materials. The effects of discharge energy on interface morphology, wave formation mechanisms, and element diffusion were systematically investigated through numerical simulations and experiments. The results indicate that the induced magnetic field and current are determined by the welding current"s magnitude and rate of change, respectively. Higher discharge energy increases the electromagnetic force acting on the flyer plate and enhances the collision velocity, whereas the collision angle remains unaffected. The rebound phenomenon, which alters the contact state between the flyer plate and the target plate, is identified as the key factor in forming the annular weld seam. Both simulated and experimental interfaces exhibit sinusoidal wave features, increasing wave amplitudes with discharge energy. The wave formation is attributed to shear-induced instability and metal-plastic flow triggered by high-speed collision. No significant element diffusion or melting was observed at the interface. The maximum shear strength of the joint reached 93.87% of the aluminum base material. Numerical simulations confirmed that the interface temperature remained below the melting points of both base materials, which is critical for improving the mechanical performance of the jointKeywords: Magnesium-lithium alloy; Electromagnetic pulse welding; Numerical simulation; Interface morphology