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 , 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 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 in different primary radiation directions ; 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 within the first distance cell in comparison with the remaining echo curves ; 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 , 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 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 in different primary radiation directions ; 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 within the first distance cell in comparison with the remaining echo curves ; 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 in different primary radiation directions ; 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 within the first distance cell in comparison with the remaining echo curves ; 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 . <EOS>