Qualitative digital elevation model from SAR data

We have developed and we present here a radarclinometry technique partly based on a shape-from-shading method, allowing us to obtain from a 1-look SAR image, a qualitative digital elevation model (DEM). This technique, that does not require a high computational cost, is sufficient enough to produce from a single SAR image a qualitative DEM without important topographic irregularities. It is then possible to obtain either a preliminary DEM that can be used as a support for further improvements by means of another technique such as, for example, interferometry, or to precision some details on a previous DEM obtained another way and thus to underline important topographic changes. Two test zones located in the Philippines have been chosen and this technique has been applied to reconstruct active volcanic structures.