Kuwait is home to 10 distinct geological systems that collectively form an extensive natural museum, showcasing the country’s diverse geological heritage, the Kuwaiti Society for Earth Sciences said Tuesday. The announcement was made ahead of the International Day for Geological Diversity, observed annually on October 6 in recognition of UNESCO’s efforts to promote geological conservation.
Dr. Mubarak Al-Hajri, president of the society, outlined the key features of each geological system, noting their contribution to Kuwait’s place on the global geological map and their importance in documenting climatic and tectonic changes in the Arabian Gulf region over millions of years.
The first system consists of Kuwait’s nine islands, which include Warbah and Boubyan. These two islands are distinguished by a unique sedimentary environment, influenced by their proximity to the Shatt Al-Arab waterway and freshwater sources, supporting rich biodiversity. Large portions of Warbah and Boubyan are protected under national and international environmental programs and serve as the core area of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Marine Reserve. The remaining seven islands—Failaka, Kubbar, Umm Al-Maradim, Miskan, Awhah, Umm Al-Naml, and Qaruh—carry environmental, economic, historical, and cultural significance.
Kuwait Bay forms the second geological system. Dr. Al-Hajri described it as the world’s second-largest natural nursery for fish and shrimp, ranking just behind the Gulf of Mexico. The third system covers Kuwait’s approximately 325-kilometer coastline, noted for its variety of sedimentary environments, including mudflats and coral reef beaches.
The fourth system comprises coastal and inland salt flats, which account for about 7 percent of Kuwait’s land area. These flats feature unique geomorphological traits shaped by the country’s gently sloping coastline and tidal movements. Jal Al-Zour, identified as the fifth system, is recognized for its notably rich geological features.
Al-Sabiyah forms the sixth system, valued for its natural and geological distinctiveness as well as its archaeological importance as the site of some of the Arabian Gulf’s earliest human settlements from the Ubaid culture, dating back to the fifth millennium BCE. It is also central to Kuwait’s first open geological park, the Kuwait Geopark project, notable for landscapes that resemble the surface of Mars.
The seventh system encompasses the hills of Dhahr Al-Adan, Burgan, Warah, and Al-Qurain in southern Kuwait, characterized by prominent topographical and structural features shaped by erosion and weathering. The eighth system is represented by the Al-Ahmadi quarry, a unique geological window that exposes the oldest rock units in Kuwait, known as the Dammam Formation.
Wadi Al-Batin is the ninth geological system, recognized as a significant landmark formed during the Pleistocene epoch through large water flows, and considered a natural extension of Wadi Al-Rummah in the Arabian Peninsula. Finally, the tenth system includes Kuwait’s northern and southern deserts, with the northern desert predominantly rocky and the southern desert primarily sandy.
Dr. Al-Hajri commended state institutions for efforts to preserve these geological features and promote public awareness. He reiterated the society’s call to establish a Geological Survey Authority to coordinate geological research and conservation initiatives aimed at safeguarding Kuwait’s geological heritage.