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Subseismic clinoforms complicated the interpretation of deeply buried Cambrian carbonate reservoirs in Tarim Basin, China. Outcrop modelling is a valuable tool to reduce the ambiguity in interpreting subseismic clinoforms. Our workflow includes five steps: (1) Correlation of geologic surfaces; (2) Definition of carbonate lithofacies; (3) Stratigraphic modelling and gridding; (4) Facies and acoustic-impedance modelling; and (5) Seismic modelling. We conclude that at current field seismic-data condition, the synthetic seismic data display subtle seismic patterns that are misleading and difficult to interpret on vertical seismic view. For future exploration, high-frequency (40–60 Hz dominant frequency), small bin-size (5–15 m) seismic acquisition is strongly recommended. Horizontal slice (stratal slice) is useful to avoid pitfalls of subseismic cloinoforms in current data sets.