Giving height to landscapes

This 50 km-wide circular feature in the Sahara desert is known as the Richat Structure. Initially mistaken for a possible impact crater, it is now known to be an eroded structure of layered sedimentary rocks.

This 3D view was generated from a satellite image draped over an elevation model. The heights have been exaggerated 6 times to enhance topography.

Browns refer to bedrock, yellow/white to sand, green to vegetation and salty sediments appear in bluish whites.

Question : Do satellites "see" in 3D ?