The Geology of Kuwait

Preface
Contents
About the Editors
1 Surface Geology of Kuwait
Abstract
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 Regional Geological Setting and Surface Stratigraphy of Kuwait
1.2 Surface Recent (Holocene) Sediment Cover of Kuwait
1.3 Jal Az-Zor Escarpments
1.3.1 Stratigraphic Successions of Jal Az-Zor Escarpment
1.4 Al-Subiyah Area
1.4.1 Al-Subiyah (Bahrah) Outcrop Stratigraphy and Lithofacies
1.4.2 The Clastic Intrusion Zones at Al-Subyiah (Bahrah) Area
1.5 The Ahmadi Quarry
1.5.1 Stratigraphy and Lithofacies of The Dammam Formation and Kuwait Group deposits at The Ahmadi Quarry Outcrop
1.5.1.1 The Dammam Formation
1.5.1.2 Kuwait Group Deposits
1.6 The Khiran Ridges
1.6.1 Stratigraphy and Lithofacies of The Khiran Ridges and Outcrops
1.7 The Enjefa Beach Outcrop
1.7.1 Facies and Facies Associations of Enjefa Beach Outcrop
1.7.2 Enjefa Beach Outcrop 3D Geological Model
1.8 Conclusion
References
2 Subsurface Stratigraphy of Kuwait
Abstract
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Late Paleozoic–Early Mesozoic
2.2.1 Khuff Formation
2.2.2 Sudair Formation
2.2.3 Jilh Formation
2.2.4 Minjur Formation
2.3 Mesozoic
2.3.1 Jurassic
2.3.1.1 Marrat Formation
2.3.1.2 Dhruma Formation
2.3.1.3 Sargelu Formation
2.3.1.4 Najma Formation
2.3.1.5 Jubaila Formation
2.3.1.6 Gotnia Formation
2.3.1.7 Hith Formation
2.3.1.8 Makhul Formation
2.3.2 Cretaceous
2.3.2.1 Minagish Formation
2.3.2.2 Ratawi Formation
2.3.2.3 Zubair Formation
2.3.2.4 Shuaiba Formation
2.3.2.5 Burgan Formation
2.3.2.6 Mauddud Formation
2.3.2.7 Wara Formation
2.3.2.8 Ahmadi Formation
2.3.2.9 Rumaila Formation
2.3.2.10 Mishrif Formation
2.3.2.11 Mutriba
2.3.2.12 Sadi Formation
2.3.2.13 Hartha Formation
2.3.2.14 Tayarat Formation
2.4 Cenozoic
2.4.1 Paleogene
2.4.1.1 Paleocene
2.4.1.2 Eocene
2.4.1.3 Oligocene
2.4.2 Neogene
2.4.2.1 Miocene
2.4.2.2 Pliocene
2.4.3 Quaternary
2.4.3.1 Recent Sediments (Surface)
2.5 Summary and Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
3 Sand Dunes in Kuwait, Morphometric and Chemical Characteristics
Abstract
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Materials and Methods
3.3 Dunes Migration
3.4 The Volume of the Dunes and Single Dune Sampling
3.5 Results
3.6 Dunes Migration
3.6.1 Dunes Granulometric Characteristics
3.7 Mineralogy
3.8 XRF Results
3.9 Micro-inclusions in Dunes Particles
3.10 Mechanical Micro-textures (Micro-features)
3.11 Chemical Micro-textures
3.12 Upwind and Downwind Variations
3.13 Particle Area, Perimeter, and BET Surface Area
3.14 Conclusions
References
4 Marine Geology of Kuwait
Abstract
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Kuwait Marine Environment
4.2.1 Kuwait Bay
4.3 Offshore Geology of Kuwait
4.4 Effects of Water Circulation on Sediment Transport
4.5 Effects of Draining of the Iraqi Marshes
4.6 Grain Size and Textural Classes
4.7 The Biogenic Nature of Coarse Sediment Fractions
4.8 Kuwaiti Islands
4.9 Offshore Petroleum Geology of Kuwait
4.9.1 Historical Overview
4.9.2 Oil Pollution in Kuwait Territorial Waters
4.9.3 Oil Spills Data Acquisition
4.9.4 Oil Spills Response Strategy
4.10 Conclusion
References
5 Structures and Tectonics of Kuwait
Abstract
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Geological Settings
5.3 Basement Structural Configuration and Trends
5.4 Structural Architecture and Elements of Kuwait
5.4.1 Kuwait Arch
5.4.2 Dibdibba Trough
5.4.3 Summan Platform
5.4.4 Wadi Al Batin
5.4.5 Jal Az Zor
5.5 Kuwait Tectonic Stresses
5.5.1 Present day In-Situ Stress
5.5.2 Kuwait Paleostresses
5.6 Conclusions
References
6 Petroleum Geology of Kuwait
Abstract
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Source Rocks
6.2.1 Paleozoic Source Rocks
6.2.1.1 Qusaiba Formation
6.2.1.2 Unaizah Formation
6.2.1.3 Khuff Formation
6.2.2 Mesozoic Source Rocks
6.2.2.1 Triassic Source Rocks
6.2.2.2 Jurassic Source Rocks
Marrat Formation
Sargelu Formation
Najmah Formation
Cretaceous Source Rocks
Makhul (Sulaiy) Formation
Minagish Formation
Ratawi Formation
Mauddud Formation
6.3 Reservoir Rocks
6.3.1 Mesozoic Reservoir Rocks
6.3.1.1 Triassic Reservoirs
6.3.1.2 Jurassic Reservoirs
Marrat Formation
6.3.1.3 Sargelu Formation
Najmah Formation
6.3.1.4 Cretaceous Reservoirs
Minagish Formation
Ratawi Formation
Burgan Formation
Mauddud Formation
Wara Formation
6.3.2 Cenozoic Reservoir Rocks
6.3.2.1 Umm Er Radhuma Formation
6.3.2.2 Lower Fars Formation
6.4 Seal Rocks
6.4.1 Mesozoic Seal Rocks
6.4.1.1 Kra Al-Maru and Jilh Formations
6.4.1.2 Dhruma Formation
6.4.1.3 Gotnia and Hith Formations
6.4.1.4 Lower Makhul Shale
6.4.1.5 Ratawi Formation
6.4.1.6 Zubair Formation
6.4.1.7 Burgan Formation
6.4.1.8 Wara Formation
6.4.1.9 Ahmadi Formation
6.4.2 Cenozoic Seal Rocks
6.4.2.1 Rus Formation
6.4.2.2 Lower Fars Formation
6.5 Unconventional Petroleum System of Kuwait
6.6 Hydrocarbon Thermal Maturation, Generation, Migration, and Entrapment
6.7 Conclusions
References
7 Seismicity of Kuwait
Abstract
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Historical Earthquakes in Kuwait
7.3 Instrumental Earthquake Recording in Kuwait
7.3.1 History of Seismic Recording
7.3.2 Kuwait National Seismic Network (KNSN)
7.3.2.1 KNSN Configuration
7.3.2.2 Data Acquisition
7.3.2.3 Data Processing and Analysis
7.3.2.4 Magnitude Scales in Kuwait
7.4 Seismic Sources in and Around Kuwait
7.4.1 Local Seismic Sources
7.4.2 Regional Seismic Sources
7.4.3 Regional Seismotectonic Setting
7.4.4 Crustal Velocity Models in Kuwait
7.4.5 Focal Mechanism Solutions and Stress Pattern
7.5 Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
8 Geo- and Environmental Hazard Studies in Kuwait
Abstract
8.1 Earthquake Hazard in Kuwait
8.1.1 Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA)
8.1.2 Deterministic Seismic Hazard Analysis (DSHA)
8.2 Dust Fallout in Kuwait
8.2.1 Dust Regional Sources
8.2.2 Amount of Dust Fallout
8.2.3 Mineralogical Characteristics of the Dust
8.2.4 Elemental Concentration in Dust Fallout
8.3 Land Degradation in Kuwait
8.3.1 Manifestation of Land Degradation
8.3.1.1 Vegetation Cover Deterioration
8.3.1.2 Soil Erosion
8.3.1.3 Soil Degradation Vulnerability
8.3.1.4 Enhancement of Sand Encroachment
8.3.1.5 Disruption of Surface Runoff
8.3.2 Causes of Land Degradation
8.3.2.1 Anthropogenic Activities
8.3.2.2 The Gulf War
8.3.2.3 Climatological Factors
8.3.3 Assessing Land Degradation Indicators
8.3.3.1 Field Assessment
8.3.3.2 Mapping Land Degradation Hazard Using GIS
8.4 Aeolian Sand Movement
8.4.1 Vulnerability of Soil Classes to Drifting
8.4.2 Enhancement of Sand Encroachment
8.4.3 Natural Factors Controlling Aeolian Processes
8.4.4 Mapping Sand Encroachment Hazard Using GIS
8.5 Destructive Flash Floods
8.5.1 Impact of Flash Floods
8.5.2 Lessons Learned from the Floods of Nov. 2018
8.5.3 Surface Hydrologic Maps
8.5.4 Proposed Risk Mitigation Plan (RMP) for Flash Floods in Kuwait
8.6 Conclusion
References
9 Groundwater in Kuwait
Abstract
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Groundwater Quality
9.2.1 Al-Raudhtain Field (Freshwater)
9.2.2 Dammam Formation Aquifer
9.3 Groundwater Geology
9.3.1 Kuwait Group
9.3.2 Hasa Group
9.4 Aquifer Systems
9.4.1 Kuwait Group Aquifer
9.4.2 Dammam Limestone Aquifer
9.5 Al-Raudhtain Freshwater Field
9.6 Groundwater Misuse and Consequences (the Case Al-Wafra Agricultural Area)
9.7 Monitoring Water Ponds and Saline Soils, Al Wafra Agricultural Area (2008–2011)
9.8 Saline Wetlands
9.9 Water Ponds
9.10 Summary and Conclusion
References
10 Applications of Remote Sensing in Kuwait
Abstract
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Field Measurements of Soil Moisture in Kuwait by Remote Sensing
10.3 Land Subsidence in Burgan Oil Field in Kuwait
10.4 Flash Flood
10.4.1 Flood Event Analysis (November 2018)
10.4.2 Flash Hazard Assessment
10.4.3 Urban Areas Flash Floods in 2018
10.5 Transboundary Dust Storm Jets from Southern Iraq to Kuwait
10.6 Oil Spill Mapping
10.7 Summary
References