NASA’s Terra Satellite captured the seasonal splendor when it passed over the region at midday on Sunday, November 9, 2008.

That image from the spacecraft’s MODIS instrument seen on the right shows the varied shades of deep green, rich brown, burnt orange and tan that were produced by various kinds of vegetation that grow at different elevations and terrain.

Also visible is the spine of the snow-covered peaks of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, which separate southern Russia and the former Soviet republics of Georgia and Azerbaijan between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.

The highest peak in the range, glacier-covered Mt. Elbrus, soars to 18,510 feet (5,642 metres) . In the middle of the range is the dormant, but still dangerous, Mt. Kazbek Volcano.

The Lesser Caucasus extend southeastward from Georgia into Armenia and western Azerbaijan.

A lack of snow-covered peaks at the spine of that range is an indication that they rise to lower elevations than their "Greater" neighbors to the north.

Full story and image: NASA