large images:
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