Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of seismic exploration and, in more particular, to methods of quantifying and visualizing structural and stratigraphic features in three dimensions through the use of eigenvector and eigenvalue analyses of a similarity matrix. This invention also relates to the field of seismic attribute generation and the use of seismic attributes derived from similarity matrices to detect the conditions favorable for the origination, migration, accumulation, and presence of hydrocarbons in the subsurface. Additionally, the methods disclosed herein provide a new means for analyzing unstacked seismic data to uncover AVO effects. The invention disclosed herein will be most fully appreciated by those in the seismic interpretation and seismic processing arts.