Subsidence of sedimentary basins generates the spatial distribution of accommodation infilling sediments.
Aspects of the sediment, namely its composition, primary structures, and internal architecture, can be synthesized into a history of the basin fill.
From such syntheses, models can be developed to explain broad basin formation mechanisms.
[1] Sedimentary basin analysis is largely conducted by two types of geologists who have slightly different goals and approaches.
Thus, academics sometimes use petroleum industry techniques, but in many cases, they are able to study rocks at the surface.