The invention relates to a method for the detection and exploration of subterranean hydrocarbon deposits by receivers of acoustic waves in a frequency range from 0.2-30 Hz arranged at or near the surface, whereby, according to the invention, acoustic signals are recorded for a period of time T, subjected to a frequency analysis in time windows shifted by a period of time .DELTA.t, according to which each time window is subdivided into frequency channels and at least two frequency groups and then the amplitude values of the frequency channels of the frequency groups are correlated and the time deviation .tau. is determined for the first peak of the correlation function that is unequal to zero, and the ratio of the variation of the amplitude values of the peaks of the frequency groups from one time window to at least one other is determined for this time deviation .tau. and used to derive the magnitude of the hydrocarbon deposit, and the depth is calculated from the time deviation .tau..