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Department of Geology, University of Kuwait

ABSTRACT

The Jal-Az-Zor escarpment is the most prominent geomorphic feature northwest of Kuwait Bay. It extends about 60 km on a SW-NE trend with a maximum elevation of 135 m. Stratigraphically, the sediments of the Jal-Az-Zor escarpment area have been divided into three units which vary from sandy shale to calcareous shale and calcareous pebbly sandstone. The uppermost sequence, comprising both the Dibdibba gravels and the Holocene sediments, is considered to be a result of the most recent pluvial period which has developed several fan surfaces. These lobate fans spread out from the foot of the escarpment toward Kuwait Bay. Seismic and electric logs as well as stratigraphic techniques permit recognition of several subsurface faults of Tertiary age in the Kuwait Bay and Bahra anticline areas. Structural development of the Jal-Az-Zor area indicates that the escarpment was located structurally in Kuwait Bay during Miocene times, and has since retreated landward to its present position.