The future of geothermal energy development increasingly focuses on low-temperature geothermal systems within hydrocarbon-bearing sedimentary basins. This study investigates the geothermal potential of the Czech sector of the Vienna Basin, a pull-apart basin that continued evolving under back-arc extension. The Czech portion occupies the northeastern acute corner of the basin, separated from the Slovak sector by the Hodonín-Gbely Horst. The study identifies four groups of horizons belonging to four stratigraphies as potential geothermal aquifers: the lower Badenian (lower Langhian), middle Badenian (upper Langhian), upper Badenian (lower Serravallian), and Sarmatian (upper Serravallian). The lower Badenian strata appear to be the least significant in terms of geothermal potential. The aforementioned stratigraphies correspond to different evolutionary stages of the basin, with the lower Badenian possibly deposited during the initial phase of pull-apart formation, while the middle Badenian marks the mature stage with the development of a regional depocenter. The upper Badenian and Sarmatian intervals were deposited during the subsequent phase of back-arc extension (wide-rift setting), characterized by the reactivation of boundary sinistral strike-slip fault zones as normal faults. Preliminary results indicate a topography-driven fluid flow system with recharge area occurring along the northwestern margin, along the basin-bounding Steinberg Fault Zone and discharge area along the hanging wall of the Lužice-Lanžhot Fault Zone which separates the Central Moravian Sub-basin from the Hodonín-Gbely Horst. The temperature difference between recharge and discharge areas is 18 °C at the depth of 1 km. The assessment of total dissolved solids suggests a heterogeneous hydrogeological system, with multiple interconnected aquifers exhibiting varying degrees of fluid mineralization. Given the relatively low geothermal gradient, utilization of geothermal fluids for electricity generation is unlikely. However, the identified geothermal reservoirs hold significant potential for direct applications, including district heating, greenhouse agriculture, aquaculture, and spa-related tourism. Future research will focus on refining reservoir characterization through seismic data analysis supported by modeling, to optimize geothermal utilization strategies in the region.

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