The digital elevation model (DEM) is usually created based on a single vertical datum located at mean sea level. In most cases, however, the elevations of natural plains are trend downward (mostly toward the sea, quickly or slowly), which obscures the relationship between the natural descent and the subminiature terrain caused by tectonic. To remove this trend, relative elevation model (REM) was developed, which subtracted floodplain surface from DEM. The traditional method is limited to high resolution DEM, however, and is usually used in narrow band areas. Using medium-low resolution DEM, this paper presents a technique to create REM based on multi-rivers. This technique consists of three steps, namely finding rivers, calculating the trend and subtracting the trend from DEM. This technique was applied to the study area of Linyi district, Shandong, China. There is a great agreement between REMs and the location of faults, which means this technique is helpful to the study of subminiature terrain and active tectonics.