"Earth Sciences": Kuwaiti place names carry geological and scientific significance - Sarmad
Dr. Mubarak Al-Hajeri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Society for Earth Sciences, stated that the names of areas in Kuwait carry geological and scientific connotations that reflect the deep-rooted relationship between Kuwaiti society and earth sciences. This was noted in a statement by Dr. Al-Hajeri to KUNA on Sunday, on the occasion of the International Day of Caves and Geologically Distinct Areas, which falls on September 13 every year. He explained that several Kuwaiti areas bear geological and scientific significance, including: Ad-Dhahr, Jal Al-Zour, Al-Mutlaa, Al-Manqaf, Al-Rawdatayn, Salwa, Al-Jahra, Fahaheel, Al-Qurain, Al-Shaab, Ad-Dayan, Al-Khuran, An-Naqra, Al-Masaylah, Al-Masa’il, and others.
He pointed out that the phenomenon of karstification appears in the area of “Jal Al-Zour,” but it differs from the underground caves commonly found in the “Ad-Dhahr” area and regions with similar rock formations. He emphasized the need for caution when approaching these sites to prevent any accidents.
Furthermore, he noted that the area of “Ad-Dhahr,” for example, means elevated land. It is named after “Adh-Dhahr of Ad-Dayan,” a series of highlands extending in the southern region overlooking the coast, formed as a result of a fold, which is one of the structural geological formations beneath the earth’s surface, such as the “Burqan” fold and the “Ahmadi” fold.
He added that the name “Jal Al-Zour” means an uneven edge or a high cliff overlooking a depression, describing the rocky edge of Jal Al-Zour. 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 the rocks are dislodged (“tanqaf”) from the bottom, preventing the ship’s anchor from holding its position. Meanwhile, “Al-Rawdatayn” means a natural depression in the land where rainwater and flash floods collect, making it fertile and green land.
He pointed out that some area names indicate types of soil and rocks, such as “Kura’ Al-Marw.” In the Kuwaiti dialect, “Kura’” refers to the leg or a characteristic of land locations where whiteness is prevalent. “Al-Marw” is a shiny white stone known as “Salboukh.” Geologically, this desert area means quartz rock, and the name literally translates to “land of quartz.”
Dr. Al-Hajeri clarified that the area of “Al-Dabdaba” is characterized by land covered with pebbles and hard Salboukh. When walking on it with 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 wide, flat land characterized by the presence of groundwater close to the surface.
He noted that “Al-Fahaheel” refers to the diminutive of “Fahil,” which means a male palm tree. Geologically, it is associated with the presence of fresh groundwater close to the surface, which allowed palm trees to grow in this coastal area in the past.
He added that “Binid Al-Qar” is named after surface oil seepage. Heavy oil substances used to 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 “Al-Qar” (tar) due to a marine geological phenomenon where oil used to seep from rock fissures on the seabed surrounding the island and float to the shore.
He explained that the name of the area “Warrah,” located south of Kuwait, means burning and extremely hot land. Its geological explanation lies in the nature of its dark hills and rocks that store heat, in addition to its location above one of the largest geological structures hosting oil.
He noted that the name “Al-Qurain” derives from the diminutive of the word “qarn,” meaning a solitary, elevated hill or mound rising above flat land, while “Bayan” signifies emergence or visibility; it refers to a raised rocky knoll—a flat-topped hill—from which the surrounding low-lying areas become visible.
He added that “Al-Shaab” was named for the small wadi channels and narrow depressions carved by ancient rainwater and flash floods into the rocks as they flowed toward the sea, and is characterized by the presence of openings and freshwater wells.
Dr. Al-Hajri pointed out that the naming extends beyond area names to local landforms shaped by natural geological processes such as erosion, weathering, and deposition. He explained that “Qaryat Milh” (Salt Village) takes its name from salt flats, while “Burgan” refers to frequent gas ignition incidents caused by lightning strikes due to natural gas or oil seepage. “Hud Hamara” is a distinctive geographical and historical site located in southern Kuwait, near the areas of “An-Nuwaisib” and “Al-Khiran”; its name originates from an old incident in which a dead donkey was found, having been unable to cross the area due to the shallow sea waters.
For her part, Dr. Ahd Al-Salem, member of the Board of Directors and head of the Scientific Committee at the Kuwait Geographical Society, told KUNA that “Al-Khiran” is named for the presence of multiple khors (inlets) within it, where a khor is a sea tongue or waterway extending from the sea inland.
She added that “Al-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 ground fissures that allowed rainwater to accumulate over extended periods.
She explained that “Al-Masila” is named for its connection to rainfall and its historical geographical nature, as rainwater used to flow from its lands to the coast; the name “Al-Masa’il” is derived from it, being the plural form of “Masil.”
She noted that “Al-Adan,” stretching from Mishref to Ahmadi, lacks varied topography and lies along the coast; it was named for its coastal location and its distinctive fine sand.
