Measuring device for determining the topology of a bulk material, comprising: an antenna arrangement for emitting a transmission signal in a primary radiation direction of the antenna arrangement and for receiving the transmission signal reflected at least on a surface of the bulk material; an echo curve generating unit for generating an echo curve (402, 403, 404, 405, 406), which mirrors the signal strength of the reflected transmission signal over a distance measurement range of the measuring device, from the transmission signal which is reflected and received by the antenna arrangement; a positioning device (1307, 1308) for changing the primary radiation direction of the antenna arrangement in such a way that a series of echo curves can be generated at different primary radiation directions; an evaluation unit for determining the topology of the bulk material, wherein the evaluation unit carries out the following steps to determine the topology: a) detecting a plurality of echo curves (402, 403, 404, 405, 406) in different primary radiation directions (410, 411, 412, 413, 414); b) determining a first distance cell, which is a particular distance interval between the first distance ( r S) and a second distance ( r E) of the antenna arrangement; c) determining a maxima curve, which has the greatest signal strength for each primary radiation direction (410, 411, 412, 413, 414) within the first distance cell in comparison with the remaining echo curves (402, 403, 404, 405, 406); d) determining local maxima on the maxima curve, wherein the local maxima are angular coordinates of the greatest signal strength within the first distance cell; e) repeatedly carrying out steps b) to e) for further distance cells. an antenna arrangement for emitting a transmission signal in a primary radiation direction of the antenna arrangement and for receiving the transmission signal reflected at least on a surface of the bulk material; an echo curve generating unit for generating an echo curve (402, 403, 404, 405, 406), which mirrors the signal strength of the reflected transmission signal over a distance measurement range of the measuring device, from the transmission signal which is reflected and received by the antenna arrangement; a positioning device (1307, 1308) for changing the primary radiation direction of the antenna arrangement in such a way that a series of echo curves can be generated at different primary radiation directions; an evaluation unit for determining the topology of the bulk material, wherein the evaluation unit carries out the following steps to determine the topology: a) detecting a plurality of echo curves (402, 403, 404, 405, 406) in different primary radiation directions (410, 411, 412, 413, 414); b) determining a first distance cell, which is a particular distance interval between the first distance ( r S) and a second distance ( r E) of the antenna arrangement; c) determining a maxima curve, which has the greatest signal strength for each primary radiation direction (410, 411, 412, 413, 414) within the first distance cell in comparison with the remaining echo curves (402, 403, 404, 405, 406); d) determining local maxima on the maxima curve, wherein the local maxima are angular coordinates of the greatest signal strength within the first distance cell; e) repeatedly carrying out steps b) to e) for further distance cells. a) detecting a plurality of echo curves (402, 403, 404, 405, 406) in different primary radiation directions (410, 411, 412, 413, 414); b) determining a first distance cell, which is a particular distance interval between the first distance ( r S) and a second distance ( r E) of the antenna arrangement; c) determining a maxima curve, which has the greatest signal strength for each primary radiation direction (410, 411, 412, 413, 414) within the first distance cell in comparison with the remaining echo curves (402, 403, 404, 405, 406); d) determining local maxima on the maxima curve, wherein the local maxima are angular coordinates of the greatest signal strength within the first distance cell; e) repeatedly carrying out steps b) to e) for further distance cells.