The Pannonian basin is a major geothermal heat system in Central Europe. Its peripheral basin, the East Slovakian basin, is an example of a geothermal structure with a linear, directed heat flow ranging from 90 to 100 mW/m² from west to east. However, the use of the geothermal source is limited by several critical tectono-geologic factors: (a) Tectonics, and the associated disintegration of the aquifer block by multiple deformations during the pre-Paleogene, mainly Miocene, period. The main discontinuities of NW-SE and N-S direction negatively affect the permeability of the aquifer environment. For utilization, minor NE-SW dilatation open fractures are important, which have been developed by sinistral transtension on N–S faults and accelerated normal movements to the southeast. (b) Hydrogeologically, the geothermal structure is accommodated by three water types, namely, Na-HCO₃ with 10.9 g·L⁻¹ mineralization (in the north), the Ca-Mg-HCO₃ with 0.5–4.5 g·L⁻¹ mineralization (in the west), and Na-Cl water type containing 26.8–33.4 g·L⁻¹ mineralization (in the southwest). The chemical composition of the water is influenced by the Middle Triassic dolomite aquifer, as well as by infiltration of saline solutions and meteoric waters along with open fractures/faults. (c) Geothermally anomalous heat flow of 123–129 °C with 170 L/s total flow near the Slanské vchy volcanic chain seems to be the perspective for heat production.

Strong tectonic remobilisation and shear zone development are typical features of the easternmost part of the Veporicum tectonic unit in the Western Carpathians. The granodiorite mylonites in the area of the Rolovská shear zone (Čierna hora Mts) underwent a complex polystage evolution during the Hercynian and Alpine orogenies. Deformation during the latter reached greenschist facies under metamorphic conditions. Mylonites are macroscopically foliated rocks with a stretching lineation and shear bands. Structurally different mylonite types, ranging from protomylonites to ulramylonites with typical grainsize reduction from the margins towards the shear zone centre, have been assessed. The modal mineralogy of the different mylonite types changes considerably. Typical is a progressive decrease in feldspar content and simultaneously the quartz and white mica content increases from protomylonites towards the most strongly deformed ultramylonites. The deformation had a brittle character in less deformed rocks and a ductile one in more deformed tectonites. Obvious chemical changes occur in mesomylonites and ultramylonites. During mylonitisation, the original biotite granodiorite was depleted of Mg, Fe, Na, Ca and Ba, while K, Rb and mainly Si increased considerably. Other (major and trace) elements reflect erratic behaviour due to lateral mobility. Chemical changes indicate the breakdown and subsequent recrystallisation of biotite and feldspars and, in turn, the crystallisation of albite and sericite. REE decrease in ultramylonites due to the breakup of accessory minerals during deformation and alteration.

The exploration of the geothermal potential of a geological unit has multiple aspects. The most important elements are the geological structure, the hydrogeological conditions, and heat flow. The analysis of the above-mentioned elements attempts to help maximize the use of a geothermal aquifer’s potential. When choosing the most appropriate geophysical method, it is important to consider various factors, such as basic structural parameters as well as the total cost of exploration. This is especially true for low-thermal areas. Comparison of multi-geophysical exploration methods used in the study of the carbonate aquifer of the Humenné Unit identified the advantages and weaknesses of each method. The Humenné Unit is the north basement unit of the Eastern Slovak Basin (with a heat flow value ranging from 100 to 125 mW·m⁻²), which is part of the Pannonian Basin (with a high heat flow ranging from 50 to 130 mW·m⁻²). The calculation of the geothermal potential was based on the results of several methods. Some important geophysical survey methods resulted in: (a) deep seismic cross-sections which clarified the position and overall internal structure of the aquifer (b) gravimetric measurements in the form of a map of the Complete Bouguer Anomalies (calculated for density 2.67 g·cm⁻³) which confirmed the presence of structural elevations and depressions. These elevations and depressions intensified the water yield, heat flow and raised the overall temperature (c) the use of geoelectric resistivity profiling, which is a fast and cheap method, but is limited by depth. The similar resistivities ρ: 80–360 Ωm of carbonates and andesites was a serious problem. The specific heat-energy potential has a wide range of 0.337–19.533 GJ/m². The highest values above 15 GJ/m² are reached in areas where the temperature on the surface of the Triassic carbonates exceeds 90 °C.

A sedimentary profile consisting of blown sand capped by a sand-loam bedded interval was analysed in the Svätuše sand pit in the East Slovak Lowland. Stratigraphically, blown sands from this lowland have so far only been indirectly classified into the Weichselian glacial, mainly into its middle and upper stages. The age classification presented in this study results from the optically stimulated luminescence dating method. It identifies the blown sand from the Svätuše as originating during the Early Glacial and Early Pleniglacial phases of the Weichselian glacial (MIS 4–5d). At the end of the Early Glacial phase of the Weichselian glacial, palaeoenvironmental conditions changed. The deposition of blown sand became episodic rather than continuous. As a result, the analysed sedimentary record is composed of a sand-loam interbedded interval in the uppermost part.

The Neogene evolution of the Pannonian extensional back-arc basin was associated with the development of transform faults. These faults significantly modified the sedimentary and structural evolution of the basin. The key developmental factors were related to pull forces and to the tilting of the subducted slab. The transitions from upper crustal contraction of upper crustal extension affected the depositional space, which had opened subparallel NW–SE normal faults along the southern contact with the Carpathian collision zone. The entire transition process was controlled by the closing of the rear part of the accretionary space, which changed the dip of the subducted slab. Basin subsidence, which occurred from west to east via N–S steps, generated a system of subparallel-oriented faults, which were connected by relay ramps. The relay ramps had four developmental phases: (a) initial crustal bending, (b) intact ramp formation with structural integrity disturbance, (c) breaching with crustal breakage, and (d) final fault growth. The genesis of the relay ramps of the Eastern Slovak Basin was closely linked to the initial strike-slip movements. The strike-slip movements caused a counterclockwise rotation of the northern edge of the Alpine–Carpathian–Pannonian block. This rotation was later compensated by the tectonic subsidence of the basin, primarily during the Middle Miocene.