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1 Department of Geology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
2 Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, China
*Corresponding author (e-mail: maxp{at}pku.edu.cn)
Based on tectonic, lithological and biotic features, 11 regions may be recognized in the Devonian Period of China. The Junggar and Hinggan regions are characterized by thick sequences of clastic rocks associated with volcanic rocks; carbonate deposits were only local, sometimes consisting of isolated reefs. The Tarim region was characterized by intertidal sandstones on the platform and deeper water deposits in its marginal areas. The North China region was mostly barren of Devonian deposits except in some marginal areas, and the Qilian–Qaidam region was a mountainous region mostly with Middle and Upper Devonian continental sediments. Qinling Region was closely related with the South China Region in terms of faunal affinity, probably being a marginal area of the South China Plate. Western Yunnan and the major part of Xizang (including northern Xizang and the northern slope of the Himalayas) featured continuous Silurian–Devonian deposition, generally with carbonates in the Lower Devonian, and different lithologies in different regions for the Middle and Late Devonian. Qinling and Hoh Xil-Bayan Har regions were closely related with the South China Region, yielding common fossils such as brachiopods Stringocephalus and Yunnanella (= Nayunnella) faunas. The Devonian Period of South China comprised deposits of two large transgressive–regressive cycles: Lochkovian to Eifelian and late Eifelian to about the end of the Devonian Period.
