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
Proceedings of the Hayward Fault Workshop, Eastern San Francisco Bay Area, California, September 19-20, 2003
Aeromagnetic Expression of Buried Basaltic Volcanoes Near Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Relationship of epithermal gold deposits to large-scale fractures in northern Nevada
Large-scale fractures related to inception of the Yellowstone hotspot
Hydrogeologic framework of Antelope Valley and Bedell Flat, Washoe County, west-central Nevada
Petrography and physical properties of selected rock types associated with the Hayward Fault, California
Principal facts for gravity data along the Hayward fault and vicinity, San Francisco Bay area, northern California
Principal facts for gravity stations in the Antelope Valley-Bedell Flat area, west-central Nevada
Digital aeromagnetic map of the Nevada Test Site and vicinity, Nye, Lincoln, and Clark Counties, Nevada and Inyo County, California
Digital isostatic gravity map of the Nevada Test Site and vicinity, Nye, Lincoln, and Clark Counties, Nevada, and Inyo County, California
Aeromagnetic Survey of the Amargosa Desert, Nevada and California: A Tool for Understanding Near-Surface Geology and Hydrology
Summary of geophysical investigations of the Death Valley regional water-flow modeling project, Nevada and California
Science and Products
Proceedings of the Hayward Fault Workshop, Eastern San Francisco Bay Area, California, September 19-20, 2003
Aeromagnetic Expression of Buried Basaltic Volcanoes Near Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Relationship of epithermal gold deposits to large-scale fractures in northern Nevada
Large-scale fractures related to inception of the Yellowstone hotspot
Hydrogeologic framework of Antelope Valley and Bedell Flat, Washoe County, west-central Nevada
Petrography and physical properties of selected rock types associated with the Hayward Fault, California
Principal facts for gravity data along the Hayward fault and vicinity, San Francisco Bay area, northern California
Principal facts for gravity stations in the Antelope Valley-Bedell Flat area, west-central Nevada
Digital aeromagnetic map of the Nevada Test Site and vicinity, Nye, Lincoln, and Clark Counties, Nevada and Inyo County, California
Digital isostatic gravity map of the Nevada Test Site and vicinity, Nye, Lincoln, and Clark Counties, Nevada, and Inyo County, California
Aeromagnetic Survey of the Amargosa Desert, Nevada and California: A Tool for Understanding Near-Surface Geology and Hydrology
Summary of geophysical investigations of the Death Valley regional water-flow modeling project, Nevada and 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