The new techniques of acquisition of high resolution digital elevation model (DEM) open new field of researches in terrain analysis because of the increasing precision and availability of these systems. Now high resolution DEM (HRDEM) are easily acquired either by airborne or terrestrial LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging). In particular, HRDEM permit new monitoring methods, geomorphic and morphometric analysis:
- The simple visual inspection of a shaded relief HRDEM permits the identification of most present and past instabilities.
- HRDEM time series for monitoring, sometimes coupled with DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System), permits the analysis of movements and processes of entire slopes.
- HRDEM also allows detailed rock face structural analysis which is fundamental for the rock slope stability analysis.
- Erosion by debris-flows and rivers can be quantified using ground base LIDAR.
- HRDEM can also be used for the detection of unstable volumes at several scales and the estimation of their distributions.
- Sliding surfaces geometry and roughness can be characterized from submillimetric to "mountain side" scales

The goal of this session is to share experiences related to new HRDEM analysis techniques and also to detail new case studies. HRDEM analysis is a challenge for the future research in slope hazard assessment and erosion processes.