Occurrence and characteristics of Quaternary calcareous microbialitic crust in the southern desert of Kuwait, Arabian Gulf

► Occurrence of thin laminated calcareous microbialitic crust in Kuwait desert. ► It is formed of organomineralic calcite, and trapped airborne dust particles. ► Two forms of organomineralic calcite are recorded: needle-fibers and platelets. ► Lamination is due to alternation of calcareous and detritus-rich clayey laminae. ► This may indicate succession of extreme dry arid and less arid wet climate.