"Earth Sciences": Kuwaiti place names carry geological and scientific significance
The chairman of the board of directors of the Kuwait Society for Earth Sciences, Dr. Mubarak Al-Hajeri, stated that the names of areas in the State of Kuwait carry geological and scientific connotations that reflect the deep-rooted relationship between Kuwaiti society and earth sciences.
He made these remarks in a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Sunday, on the occasion of the International Day of Caves and Karst, which is observed annually on September 13.
He pointed out that the phenomenon of karstification appears in Kuwait in the (Jal Al-Zour) area, but it differs from the underground caves commonly found in the (Adhan) area and other regions with similar rock formations. He emphasized the need for caution when approaching these sites to prevent any accidents.
He added that the (Adhan) area, for example, means elevated land and was named after (Dharb Al-Adhan), a series of highlands extending in the southern region overlooking the coast. These highlands were formed as a result of folding (one of the structural geological features beneath the Earth’s surface), similar to the (Burqan) fold and the (Ahmadi) fold.
He noted that the name (Jal Al-Zour) refers to an uneven edge or a high cliff overlooking a depression, describing the rocky edge of Jal Al-Zour. Meanwhile, the name (Al-Mutlaa) is derived from “al-tulu’” (ascending), meaning a high place from which a person overlooks their surroundings, representing the elevated edge in the northern part of the country.
He mentioned that (Al-Manqaf) refers to a rocky seabed where ships cannot remain for long because its rocks are uprooted (“manqaf”) from the bottom, preventing ship anchors from holding firm. As for (Al-Rawdatayn), it means a natural depression in the land where rainwater and flash floods collect, making it fertile and lush.
He pointed to area names that indicate soil and rock types, such as (Kura’ Al-Marwa). In the Kuwaiti dialect, “kura’” refers to the leg or a characteristic feature of land surfaces where whiteness is prevalent, while “marwa” is a shiny white stone known as “salboukh.” Geologically, this desert area means quartz rock, and the name literally translates to “land of quartz.”
Al-Hajeri clarified that (Al-Dabdaba) is characterized as land covered with gravel and hard salboukh. When walked upon by horses or camels, it produces a loud sound known in the Kuwaiti dialect as “dabdaba.” The name (Al-Salibikhat) is a diminutive of the word “salboukh,” while (Al-Jahra) means a vast, flat plain characterized by shallow groundwater.
He noted that (Al-Fahheel) is a diminutive of “fahl,” which refers to a male date palm. Geologically, it is associated with the presence of shallow freshwater that allowed date palms to grow in this coastal area in the past.
He added that (Binid Al-Qar) was named after surface oil seepage, where heavy oil substances would seep from underground, adhere to coastal rocks, and dry to become like tar (black asphalt). Similarly, (Qaruh) Island took its name directly from the word “qar” (tar), due to a marine geological phenomenon where oil would seep from rock fissures on the seabed surrounding the island and float to the shore.
He indicated that the name (Al-Qurain) is derived from the diminutive of “qarn,” meaning a solitary, prominent hill or mound rising above flat land. Meanwhile, (Bayan) means “appearance” or “visibility,” referring to an elevated rocky hill (a flat-topped mound); from its summit, the surrounding lowlands become visible and apparent.
He noted that the name “Al-Sha’ab” derives from the small riverbeds and narrow depressions carved by rainwater and flash floods in ancient times as they flowed toward the sea, and that the area is characterized by the presence of fissures and freshwater wells. Dr. Al-Hajri pointed out that the phenomenon extends beyond place names to include local landforms shaped by natural geological processes such as erosion, weathering, and deposition. He explained that the name “Qaryat Milh” (Salt Village) originates from the salt flats, while “Barqan” is named for the frequent fires ignited by lightning strikes due to natural gas or oil seepage. “Hud Hamara,” on the other hand, is a distinctive geographical and historical site located in southern Kuwait, near the areas of “An-Nuwaisib” and “Al-Khiran.” Its name stems from an old incident in which a dead donkey was found, having been unable to cross the area because of the shallow seawater.
For her part, Dr. Ahd Al-Salem, a board member of the Association and head of its Scientific Committee, told KUNA that the name “Al-Khiran” refers to the presence of several khors (inlets) in the area, with a khor being a sea tongue or water channel extending from the sea inland.
Al-Salem added that “An-Naqra” means a pit or low-lying land, named so because of a depression in the area where rainwater used to collect in ancient times. “Al-Shaqaya,” located in northwest Kuwait, refers to small cracks in the ground that allow rainwater to accumulate over extended periods.
She clarified that “Al-Masila” is named for its association with rain and its geographical nature, as rainwater used to flow from its lands to the coast. The name “Al-Masail,” which is the plural of “Masil,” is derived from the same root.
She noted that “Al-Adan,” stretching from Mishref to Ahmadi, lacks varied topography, lies on the coast, and is named for its coastal location and its distinctive fine sand.
