accommodation

depositional surface

depositional system

clinoform

fondoform

physical accommodation

progradation

strata

In 1951 John L. Rich was the first to propose that the depositional settings of sediment accumulation on the shelf, slope, and bottom be (1) undaformform for shallow water overlying the shelf, (2) clinoformform for the deeper water overlying the slope, and (3) fondoformform for the deepest water covering the bottom of the basin (Friedman (2001). Rich suggested the terms (1) undaform for any surface underlying an undaformform environment; (2) clinoform for any surface underlying a clinoformform environment; (3) fondoform for any surface underlying a fondoformform environment. Thus "physical" accommodation comprises the space between sea floor and the "shelf equilibrium profile" of Swift and Thorne (1991), and the undaformform, lino and fondforms of of Rich (1951).

Following this approach Mitchum (1977) proposed that clinoform surface be used for the sloping depositional surface that is commonly associated with strata prograding into deep water.

References
Friedman, Gerald M., 2001, John L. Rich (1884–1956): Father of clinoform, undaform, and fondoform," Abstract, Annual meeting of GSA Boston, Paper 24-0
Mitchum Jr., R.M., 1977, Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level. Part 11: glossary of terms used in seismic stratigraphy. In: Payton, C.E. (Ed.), Seismic stratigraphy––Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration, vol. 26. A.A.P.G. Memoir, pp. 205–212.
Rich, J.L., 1951, Three critical environments of deposition and criteria for recognition of rocks deposited in each of them. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 62, 1-20.