David Ponce
Dave Ponce is a Research Geophysicist with the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center in Menlo Park, California. His work focuses on the application of gravity, magnetic, and other geophysical methods to address a variety of earth science issues including earthquake hazards and mineral resources.
David Ponce is a senior Research Geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Menlo Park, California, with over 30 years of experience. He is a member and past Chief of the Geophysical Unit of Menlo Park (GUMP), a potential-field (gravity and magnetics), paleomagnetic, and electromagnetic methods research group. He received a B.S. and M.S. in Geology/Geophysics from San Jose State University, California. His primary areas of interest are geophysical investigations of the San Francisco Bay Area and the Basin and Range Province of the western U.S. These studies utilize geophysical methods to understand geology and tectonophysics; volcano and earthquake hazards; and water, mineral, and energy resources. He has authored more than 250 abstracts, reports, maps, or articles.
Dave is also a member of the American Geophysical Union, Geological Society of America, and Society of Exploration Geophysicists and is a recipient of the Superior Service Award from the Department of Interior.
Professional Experience
Research Geophysicist, Geophysics Unit of Menlo Park (GUMP), Geology, Minerals, Energy and Geophysics Science Center (GMEG)
Project Chief, REE deposits in the southeast Mojave Desert, California
Principal Investigator, Geophysical investigations of the Calaveras, Hayward, and Rodgers Creek Faults, California and implications on earthquake hazards.
Education and Certifications
M.S., Geophysics/Geology, San Jose State University, 1981
B.S., Geophysics/Geology, San Jose State University, 1976
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union
Geological Society of America
Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Science and Products
The Mt. Lewis fault zone: Tectonic implications for eastern San Francisco Bay
Anomalously low strength of serpentinite sheared against granite and implications for creep on the Hayward and Calaveras Faults
Ground-motion modeling of Hayward fault scenario earthquakes, part I: Construction of the suite of scenarios
Geophysical Studies in the Vicinity of the Warner Mountains and Surprise Valley, Northeast California, Northwest Nevada, and Southern Oregon
Physical-Property Measurements on Core samples from Drill-Holes DB-1 and DB-2, Blue Mountain Geothermal Prospect, North-Central Nevada
A prominent geophysical feature along the northern Nevada rift and its geologic implications, north-central Nevada
Structures controlling geothermal circulation identified through gravity and magnetic transects, Surprise Valley, California, northwestern Great Basin
Three-dimensional geologic model of the northern Nevada rift and the Beowawe geothermal system, north-central Nevada
Geophysical framework investigations influencing ground-water resources in east-central Nevada and west-central Utah, with a section on geologic and geophysical basin by basin descriptions
Relatively simple through-going fault planes at large-earthquake depth may be concealed by the surface complexity of strike-slip faults
Nevada Magnetic and Gravity Maps and Data: A Website for the Distribution of Data
Geophysical Investigations of the Smoke Creek Desert and their Geologic Implications, Northwest Nevada and Northeast California
Science and Products
The Mt. Lewis fault zone: Tectonic implications for eastern San Francisco Bay
Anomalously low strength of serpentinite sheared against granite and implications for creep on the Hayward and Calaveras Faults
Ground-motion modeling of Hayward fault scenario earthquakes, part I: Construction of the suite of scenarios
Geophysical Studies in the Vicinity of the Warner Mountains and Surprise Valley, Northeast California, Northwest Nevada, and Southern Oregon
Physical-Property Measurements on Core samples from Drill-Holes DB-1 and DB-2, Blue Mountain Geothermal Prospect, North-Central Nevada
A prominent geophysical feature along the northern Nevada rift and its geologic implications, north-central Nevada
Structures controlling geothermal circulation identified through gravity and magnetic transects, Surprise Valley, California, northwestern Great Basin
Three-dimensional geologic model of the northern Nevada rift and the Beowawe geothermal system, north-central Nevada
Geophysical framework investigations influencing ground-water resources in east-central Nevada and west-central Utah, with a section on geologic and geophysical basin by basin descriptions
Relatively simple through-going fault planes at large-earthquake depth may be concealed by the surface complexity of strike-slip faults
Nevada Magnetic and Gravity Maps and Data: A Website for the Distribution of Data
Geophysical Investigations of the Smoke Creek Desert and their Geologic Implications, Northwest Nevada and Northeast California
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government