Multiple SAR interferograms with judiciously selected height sensitivities can be iteratively combined to create a high accuracy digital elevation map. An initial height estimate is refined by iteratively using larger baselines to obtain a height estimation accuracy limited by the spatial decorrelation of the antenna baseline. Spatial filtering is used to reduce the propagation of errors for accurate height estimation. Images containing regions isolated by phase discontinuities, as often found in urban environments, can be resolved by this iterative multi-baseline technique. Computationally demanding and potentially unreliable phase unwrapping is not required to determine scene elevation using SAR inMultiple SAR interferograms with judiciously selected height sensitivities can be iteratively combined to create a high accuracy digital elevation map. An initial height estimate is refined by iteratively using larger baselines to obtain a height estimation accuracy limited by the spatial decorrelation of the antenna baseline. Spatial filtering is used to reduce the propagation of errors for accurate height estimation. Images containing regions isolated by phase discontinuities, as often found in urban environments, can be resolved by this iterative multi-baseline technique. Computationally demanding and potentially unreliable phase unwrapping is not required to determine scene elevation using SAR interferometry.