'Earth Sciences': The Names of Kuwaiti Regions... Geological Insights Realing the Secrets of the Earth and Topography
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.
This comment was made by Dr. Al-Hajeri in a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Sunday, on the occasion of the celebration of the International Day of Caves and Karst, which falls on September 13 every year.
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Dr. Al-Hajeri clarified that several Kuwaiti areas bear geological and scientific significance, including "Ad Dahr, Jal Al-Zour, Al-Mutla, Al-Manqaf, Al-Rawdatayn, Sulaybiyah, Al-Jahra, Fahaheel, Al-Qurain, Al-Shuwaikh, Adwan, Al-Khiran, Al-Naqra, Al-Masayel, and Al-Masayil," among others.
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 "Ad Dahr" area and regions with similar rock formations. He emphasized the need for caution and care when approaching these sites to prevent any accidents.
He added that the "Ad Dahr" area, for example, means elevated land, and it is named after "Adwan's Back," a series of highlands extending in the southern region overlooking the coast. These highlands were formed as a result of a fold, which is one of the structural geological formations beneath the earth's surface, similar to the "Burqan" fold and the "Ahmadi" fold.
He noted 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-Mutla" 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, as its rocks are torn from the bottom ("tanqaf"), 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-Marwa." In the Kuwaiti dialect, "Kura'" refers to the leg or a characteristic of land locations where whiteness is prevalent. "Al-Marwa" refers to 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 explained that the "Al-Dabdaba" area 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 "Sulaybiyah" is a diminutive of the word Salboukh, while "Al-Jahra" means a wide, flat land characterized by the presence of shallow groundwater.
He noted that "Fahaheel" refers to the diminutive of "Fahil," which means 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" 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), referring to a marine geological phenomenon where oil used to seep from rock fissures on the seabed surrounding the island and float to the shore.
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He explained that the name of the “Warrah” area, located south of Kuwait, means “burning land” or “intensely hot land.” Its geological interpretation stems from the dark nature of its hills and rocks, which retain heat, as well as its location atop one of the largest geological structures hosting oil.
He noted that the name “Al-Qurain” derives from the diminutive form of the word “qarn,” meaning a solitary, prominent hill or small mound rising above flat terrain. Meanwhile, “Bayan” means “appearance” or “emergence”; it refers to an elevated rocky knoll—a flat-topped hill—from which one can see and observe the surrounding low-lying lands.
He added that the “Al-Sha’ab” area was named for the small riverbeds and narrow depressions carved by rainwater and flash floods in ancient times as they flowed toward the sea. The area is characterized by the presence of openings and freshwater wells.
Dr. Al-Hajjri pointed out that the phenomenon extends beyond place names to local landforms sculpted by natural geological processes such as erosion, weathering, and deposition. He noted that the name “Qaryat Milh” (Salt Village) originates from salt flats, while “Burgan” refers to the frequent incidents of gas ignition caused by lightning strikes due to natural gas or oil seepage. “Had Hamara” is a distinctive geographical and historical site located in the far south of Kuwait, near the “An-Nuwaysib” and “Al-Khiran” areas. Its name stems from an ancient incident in which a dead donkey was found, having been unable to cross the area due to the shallow waters of the sea.
For her part, Dr. Ahd Al-Salem, a member of the Board of Directors of the Association and Chair of the Scientific Committee, told KUNA that the name “Al-Khiran” derives from the presence of more than one “khor” (inlet) in the area. A khor is a sea tongue or water channel extending from the sea inland.
Al-Salem added that “Al-Naqrah” means a pit or low-lying land, named so because of a depression in the area where rainwater used to collect in ancient times. Meanwhile, “Al-Shaqaya” in northwest Kuwait refers to small cracks in the ground that allow rainwater to accumulate over extended periods.
She explained that “Al-Masila” was named for its connection to rain and its ancient geographical nature, as rainwater used to flow from its lands to the coast. The name “Al-Masail” (plural of Masil) was also derived from it.
She mentioned that “Al-Adan,” stretching from Mishref to Ahmadi, lacks varied topography and is located on the coast. It was named so because of its coastal location and its distinctive fine sand.
