A method for hydrocarbon exploration based on imaging tunnel valleys is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a 3D seismic volume data corresponding to a target formation having at least one tunnel valley, interpreting a key horizon at or above the target formation as preparation for paleo-depositional environment restoration, flattening and decimating the 3D seismic volume data using the key horizon for paleo-depositional environment restoration to obtain a conditioned 3D seismic volume data, analyzing the conditioned 3D seismic volume data for frequency content and decomposing the conditioned 3D seismic volume data into at least three attributes, blending the at least three attributes to form a single seismic volume data to illuminate key features, and displaying, on a map, a distribution of the tunnel valleys in the 3D seismic volume data of the target formation.