The application effects of AMT in the exploration of shale gas target layer in the black silk shale of Xiuwu basin are described in this paper. The resistivity section obtained by AMT was divided into 5 layers from the deep part to the shallow part, the AMT explored the development characteristics of the stratigraphic structure and faulted structure of the Luodong syncline. The AMT also explored the buried depth, thickness and distribution characteristics of the black silk shale targets on the basis of the low resistance of the black silk shale relative to surrounding rocks. The buried depth of shale gas targets in Luodong synclinal core is about 1 000 m, and the thickness of the target layer is 160~200 m. The exploration results by AMT provide an important basis for the prognosis and evaluation of shale gas and the well deployment for shale gas exploration in Xiuwu basin.