Using the principles and methods of high-resolution sequence stratigraphy

the Ross Sandstone deepwaterturbidite lobe outcrops in the coast of western Irelandare studiedbased on four factors:laterally extensive mudstones

sedimentary structures and lithofacies associations

degree of sand amalgamation and sedimentary pattern and thickness.The high-resolution sequence stratigraphic framework has been established

the depositional model of deepwaterturbidite lobe is proposed

and the controlling factors for base level cycles at different hierarchies are discussed.The results show that

the organic-rich pelagic mudstone with abundant goniatites represents the transition of two adjacent long-term base level hemi-cycles.Within the long-term base level cycle

each mid-term base level cycle is bounded by the thin mudstones with subordinate siltstones which can extend laterally several kilometers to tens of kilometers.Each mid-term cycle is composed of several thickening-upward cycles which are 0.5-7 m thick and several hundred meters to several kilometers across

suggesting continuous lobe progradation.