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In the Early Carboniferous Epoch, the Earth's system is highly disturbed. Multiple dark shale successions developed in the Lower Carboniferous of northern Guangxi. The Lower Carboniferous Series can be divided into three third-order sequences, SQ 1 –SQ 3 , by analyzing the sequence stratigraphy from several sections. The dark shales are primarily developed in SQ 1 and SQ 2 , corresponding to shale-bearing lithostratigraphic units, such as the Luzhai, Yingtang, and Simen Formations (Fms). Moreover, three stratigraphic properties of the Luzhai Fm and its evolutionary relationship with the Yingtang and Simen Fms are discussed, and the sequence stratigraphic frameworks in three directions are established. The distribution ranges of dark shale are restored under the sequence stratigraphic framework, and the total organic carbon (TOC) values are evaluated by sampling in dark shales. The results indicate that basin and delta facies are favorable for forming organic-rich shales, followed by shelf facies, and the quality of ramp facies shales is relatively poor. According to the statistics of the TOC values in different genetic units (systems tracts), transgression is favorable for forming organic-rich shales, and the quality of dark shales developed in the transgressive system tract of SQ 1 (TST 1) is the best. • The Lower Carboniferous sequence stratigraphic frameworks in northern Guangxi are established. • The genetic connections of Lower Carboniferous shale-bearing formations are discussed. • The paleogeographic patterns during the Tournaisian–Visean Age in northern Guangxi are restored. • The spatial-temporal characteristics of Lower Carboniferous organic-rich shales are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep-water sediments are widely developed in Devonian sedimentary strata around the world. The Devonian's unique climate change, relative sea-level fluctuations, biological evolutionary stages and tectonic activities resulted in the widespread deposition of organic-rich shales across the globe in this era. The Devonian deep-water facies shales in northern Guangxi are widely distributed along the syn-sedimentary faults, such as the Ziyun–Luodian–Nandan–Du'an ancient fault zone and the Yishan fault, forming a series of special depositional successions under the deep-water system. Based on the stratigraphic cyclicity and spatial distribution of the Devonian strata, in conjunction with the total organic carbon content (TOC) of the dark shales at the Tonggong, Luzhai, Dongxing and Shuiyuan sections, it is determined that the Devonian system in northern Guangxi can be divided into 13 third-order sequences. Additional, the organic-rich shales, which are mainly composed of carbonaceous Tentaculitic shales in SQ 5 –SQ 11 (1) developed in the TSTs of SQ 5 –SQ 9 and mainly distributed in the Nandan–Hechi region in the west of the study area, and (2) developed in the HSTs of SQ 10 –SQ 11 and extended along the fault zone from Nandan to the Luzhai region in the east of the study area. The spatial and temporal distribution of these Devonian organic-rich shales indicate that their formation is controlled by a relative sea-level change. The current study provides important clues for future unconventional oil and gas exploration and development in northern Guangxi. • The special sequences dominated by intra-platform basinal shales are introduced. • The spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of organic-rich shales were studied. • The fundamental role of sea-level change in organic matter accumulation is talked. • The relationship between the Tentaculitids abundance and the TOC value is talked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]