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Elevation (1.2 MB)
Radar Amplitude (640 K)

These Shuttle Radar Topgraphy Mission (SRTM) images show the basin of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal:

On the left a detail (27 km x 20.5 km) of the X-SAR digital elevation model (shown below), on the right the corresponding radar amplitude image. The amplitude is a measure of the backscattering of the transmitted microwaves. In the amplitude image the “Bagmati-River” is visible south of the city center and the international Airport in the eastern part. The runway appears as a dark stripe. The airport is infamous for its difficult landing/takeoff conditions due to the close vicinity of the surrounding high mountains.

For more information and a image of the region around Kathmandu, visit the German Remote Sensing Data Center SRTM Treasure Vault.

Image courtesy German Remote Sensing Data Center