Abstract

The paper presents a brief description of formations distinguished in the Devonian section of the Russian Platform: the constituent stratigraphic units, character of thickness variations, cyclic pattern of structure, and major breaks in sedimentation. The history of tectonic evolution of the Russian Platform is revealed, as well as of its largest structural elements: the times of the their emplacement and extinction, changes of outline, displacements of axes, etc., as well as their interrelations with mobile areas surrounding the platform. Tectonic activity in the Devonian period and, particularly, in Late Devonian was much more intense than that during preceeding and subsequent periods when the platform mantle was formed. This is confirmed by the extensive occurrence and great thicknesses of Devonian deposits, the decisive role of fault tectonics in the formation of the Devonian structural plan, accompanied by spreading phenomena and generation of avlakogenes which were associated with active magmatism of basic and alkali-basic composition in effusive and intrusive facies, as well as the first accumulation of thick salt bearing formations on the Russian Platform.