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Lidar acquired from an aircraft with surveyed trajectory and orientation. Ground-return classification removes canopy and structure returns before constructing a bare-ground digital elevation model. Penetration through forest is sampling through canopy gaps, not unrestricted transmission through leaves. Areas with few or no ground returns require uncertainty assessment rather than treating interpolated heights as observations.^[ref]

Use airborne lidar with sufficient pulse density and ground-return classification. Laser travel times give ranges; the aircraft’s surveyed position and orientation place returns in three dimensions. Multiple returns include canopy and, where gaps permit, the ground. Classify ground points, remove vegetation returns and interpolate a bare-ground digital elevation model over the $20\mathrm{k}{\mathrm{m}}^2$ strip.

This specifically addresses the forest-obscured fault scarp, unlike ordinary optical stereo, which primarily models the visible canopy. Leaf-off acquisition can improve ground sampling where relevant. Dense understorey and a complete lack of ground returns still cause uncertainty; interpolation does not create observed ground heights. Inspect ground-point coverage and compare hillshades under several illumination directions.^[ref]