LIDAR

http://www.oregongeology.org/sub/projects/olc/

LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a type of remote sensing technology that uses a laser to scan the earth's surface and pick up both man-made structures and surface features such as vegetation. LIDAR images are useful as maps since they show a variety of information. The image above compares a photograph with a LIDAR image of an area of a town called Beaverton. Building and trees and roads are all visible in the LIDAR image.