Abstract

The Devonian is widespread at the margins of the Kuznetsk basin and is represented by all three series, which are characterized by marine, continental and volcanogenic formations. Some structural facies regions with different evolutionary patterns are distinguished: the Salair miogeosyncline, Kolyvan Tomsk eugeosyncline, West-Alatau foredeep, Kuznetsk inter-montane depression. At Salair there is a complete section of the deposits from the Tiverian of the Upper Silurian (=Lower Gedinnian of the USSR) up to the Givetian, with diagnostic faunal and floral assemblages. At the northwestern margin of the basin there is an uninterrupted fossiliferous marine section of the Givetian and Upper Devonian. At the eastern and southern margins are red continental and volcanogenic formations. The Lower Devonian conformably overlies the Tom-Chumysh horizon of the Tiverian, is represented by limestones, and is subdivided into Krekov and Malobachat units. The Middle Devonian is represented by limestones and terrigenous rocks; it is subdivided into eight units and includes analogues of the Zlichovian, the Eifelian and the Givetian.

The Upper Devonian is represented by terrigenous and carbonate deposits and is subdivided into eight units belonging to the Frasnian and the Famennian. On the basis of the study of the Devonian fauna in the Kuznetsk basin seventeen biostratigraphic zones are distinguished.

Magmatic activity was intensively developed at the eastern and southern margins.