The present-day crustal deformation in the North African area is mainly driven by the NWSE to NNW–SSE convergence (4–5 mm/yr) between the African and Eurasian plates (Mckenzie, 1972; Nocquet & Calais, 2004; Serpelloni et al., 2007). This convergence is accommodated over a wide deformation zone (the Tellian Atlas) implying the existence of significant seismic activity. This domain represents the southern part of the Alpine ranges at the boundary between the African and Eurasian plates.

This book is a follow-up to a Geological Society of London conference with the same title, held in urlington House, London, in February 2000. Following the conference it was decided to compile a Special Publication based in part on papers presented at the conference and in part on papers that were added later to form a balanced content. The content of New Insights into Structural Interpretation and Modelling presents a balanced overview of what the title promises. It is intended as a book that will serve the experienced professional as well as more advanced students in Earth sciences with a wide range of topics described in high quality publications. Some chapters are by leaders in the field, other chapters are written by young authors with fresh ideas.

WILLIAMS, E. A., FRIEND, P. F. & WILLIAMS, B. P. J. A review of Devonian time scales: databases, construction and new data
HOUSE, M. R. Chronostratigraphic framework for the Devonian and Old Red Sandstone
FRIEND, P. F., WILLIAMS, B. P. J., FORD, M. & WILLIAMS, E. A. Kinematics and dynamics of Old Red Sandstone basins

GRIPPING, D. H., BRIDGE, J. S. & HOTTON, C. L. Coastal-fluvial palaeoenvironments and plant palaeoecology of the Lower Devonian (Emsian), Gaspe Bay, Quebec, Canada
BRIDGE, J. S. The geometry, flow patterns and sedimentary processes of Devonian rivers and coasts, New York and Pennsylvania, USA

Sedimentary rock-hosted disseminated gold deposits (Carlin-type deposits) have recently been recognized in the People's Republic of China. Five deposits discovered in Guizhou Province, Yata, Getang, Sanchahe, Ceyang, and Banqi are described here for the first time in Western literature (Fig. 1). The deposits have geologic features and geochemical signatures that are remarkably similar to those of sedimentary rock-hosted precious metal deposits in the United States. The sizes of the deposits are as yet undetermined, but they each contain significant reserves at average grades of 4 to 5 g of gold per metric ton. Exploration and drilling are in progress at all of the deposits, and other areas where the geologic setting and geochemical anomalies are similar are being tested.

The deposits are located in a relatively inaccessible region in the southern part of the People's Republic of China. Four of the five deposits described in this report were visited in September 1986 as part of a cooperative study between the U. S. Geological Survey and the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources of the People's Republic of China. Transportation and logistical support for site visits were provided by the Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources of Guizhou Province, the organization primarily responsible for mineral exploration in the region.

Very little has been published about sedimentary rock-hosted disseminated gold deposits in the People's Republic of China (Li et al., 1986). The Chinese literature sometimes refers to them as "underground hydrothermal (brine) leaching gold deposits" (Cai Changjin and Li Zhixiang, unpub. data, 1986). Analytical information from samples collected in the course of this study is available in Dean et al. (1988)