The invention relates to a method and device suitable for monitoring variations in the ground surface R and/or the presence of ground surface elements (2j), said method being implemented on a carrier moving at the speed V=(Vx, Vy, Vz), using a transmission/reception antenna (12) of a signal-processing means (14), said method using a waveform h(t), consisting of a series of pulses or a wave train, and carrying out coherent processing within the wave train element in order to obtain the initially established distance resolution, the method thus involving measuring the distance dj by a filtering method with the distance adapted in each reflected pulse/line, and e) for a set of N signals reflected at N different moments, for one distance range and for each angle of view (theta C), the method involves processes all the signals received using the formula that translates the Doppler frequency of the reflected signals; then, the method involves: applying an energy detection criterion Ej so as to determine pairs of values (dj, theta j) that correspond to the presence of ground surface elements or variations in the ground level, and, having ascertained the values (dj, theta j, Hj), the method then involves determining the features of the ground surface elements (2j), the position thereof pj, and the variations delta r in the level of the ground or ground surface.