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
Magnetic investigations along selected high-resolution seismic traverses in the central block of Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Ground magnetic studies along a regional seismic-reflection profile across Bare Mountain, Crater Flat and Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Major results of geophysical investigations at Yucca Mountain and vicinity, southern Nevada
Preliminary gravity and magnetic models across Midway Valley and Yucca Wash, Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Gravity, magnetic, and physical property data of the Deep Creek Range and vicinity, eastern Nevada and western Utah
Geophysical investigations of concealed faults near Yucca Mountain, Southwest Nevada
Gravity and magnetic study of Yucca Wash, Southwest Nevada
Gravity and magnetic study of Yucca Wash, Southwest Nevada
Gravity and magnetic data of Midway Valley, Southwest Nevada
Gravity and magnetic data of Fortymile Wash, Nevada Test Site, Nevada
Gravity, magnetic, and physical property data of the Deep Creek Range and vicinity, eastern Nevada and western Utah
Gravity and magnetic data of Midway Valley, southwest Nevada
Science and Products
Magnetic investigations along selected high-resolution seismic traverses in the central block of Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Ground magnetic studies along a regional seismic-reflection profile across Bare Mountain, Crater Flat and Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Major results of geophysical investigations at Yucca Mountain and vicinity, southern Nevada
Preliminary gravity and magnetic models across Midway Valley and Yucca Wash, Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Gravity, magnetic, and physical property data of the Deep Creek Range and vicinity, eastern Nevada and western Utah
Geophysical investigations of concealed faults near Yucca Mountain, Southwest Nevada
Gravity and magnetic study of Yucca Wash, Southwest Nevada
Gravity and magnetic study of Yucca Wash, Southwest Nevada
Gravity and magnetic data of Midway Valley, Southwest Nevada
Gravity and magnetic data of Fortymile Wash, Nevada Test Site, Nevada
Gravity, magnetic, and physical property data of the Deep Creek Range and vicinity, eastern Nevada and western Utah
Gravity and magnetic data of Midway Valley, southwest Nevada
*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