Abstract: A method for quantitatively ranking a plurality of prospects in a subsurface region, includes generating a subsurface digital elevatiomodel of each prospect and identifying a region of subsurface imaging uncertainty within the model. The method further includes generating, for the region of imaging uncertainty, multiple realizations of the model, and determining geometrical and physical characteristics of the prospect for each realization. The characteristics, chosen to be related to a likelihood that the prospect is lower risk, are summed and the prospects are ranked in accordance therewith.