Variations in rainfall change the appearance of the Caspian Sea as the seasons change. This image sequence from the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) shows sediment brightening the water of the Caspian’s northern section. The Volga River, which enters from the upper lefthand side of this image, is the largest source of fresh water to the sea. To the right the Kaydak Salt Flat dries out from June to November.
The Caspian is home to the sturgeon, a fish which supplies the world with caviar. This region also has extensive oil reserves. which are just now being fully explored.
Image courtesy the SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, and ORBIMAGE
