Kuwait is mostly covered by a thin veneer of Recent (less than a million years old) surface deposits that are considered to be a local source for sand and dust storms. These sediments are classified into six major classes: aeolian, residual, playa, desert plain, slope and alluvial fan, and coastal deposits.

Aeolian sand deposits cover more than 50 percent of the surface of Kuwait and are the most common type of Recent surface deposits. They occur in the form of sand sheets, sand dunes and drifts, and wadi-fill. Sand is transported from the older deposits in the form of bed load while, at the same time, the finer particles (silt and clay) are transported in suspension, i.e., in the form of dust storms. The presence of a tremendous amount of mobile sand in Kuwait indicates the huge amount of dust carried in suspension.

Residual gravel deposits occur as a very extensive blanket composed of a mixture of gravel, sand, silt and clay covering most of the northern desert of Kuwait. They developed as a result of the deflation process on Ad-Dibdibah deposits. This process causes the winnowing out of fine particles, leaving behind a lag of coarser pebbles and boulders which form a more resistant crust (deflation armour or stone pavement). Based on the nature of their occurrence, these deposits can be classified into three types: residual gravel sheets, residual gravels capping ridges and residual gravels associated with sand sheets.

Playa deposits are generally more abundant in the northwestern part of the desert and are closely associated with drainage systems. It has been suggested that these playas, which form small basins that collect water during the rainy periods, were formed through the deflation process. This led to the lowering of the land surface and subsequent filling in with sediments carried by drainage channels. Playa surfaces are enriched with salt and evaporite minerals in the dry seasons. Several playa lake formations have been recognized in the north-western part of Kuwait.

Desert plain deposits have developed through the accumulation of rain-washed sediments of various grain sizes in broad, shallow depressions. Desert plains are usually found between dune fields.

Slope deposits are well developed along the Jal Az-Zor escarpment. They are composed of boulders of calcareous grits with finer detritus as are the alluvial fans which occur close to the slope deposits. Most of the slope deposits are associated with cone-shaped talus formations.

Coastal deposits can be classified into different types: coastal plain deposits (gatch), coastal dunes, sabkha deposits, beach and tidal flat deposits, coastal cliffs and coral reef beaches. It appears plausible that the desert of Kuwait is mostly covered with aeolian sand, reflecting the action of wind on the loose desert clastic deposits and the aridity of the area.