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
Mineral resources of the Palisade Mesa and the Wall Wilderness Study Areas, Nye County, Nevada
Mineral resources of the South Reveille Wilderness Study Area, Nye County, Nevada
Comparison of survey and photogrammetry methods to positive gravity data, Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Preliminary principal facts for gravity stations on the Ely 1 by 2 degree Quadrangle, Nevada
Aeromagnetic map of the western central Sierra Nevada, California
HANDTC, a Fortran program to calculate innerzone terrain corrections
Preliminary Bouguer gravity map of California: San Bernardino sheet
Principal facts of gravity stations with gravity and magnetic profiles from the Southwest Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada, as of January, 1982
Preliminary appraisal of gravity and magnetic data at Syncline Ridge, western Yucca Flat, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada
Charleston Peak gravity calibration loop, Nevada
Preliminary gravity investigations of the Wahmonie site, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada
Science and Products
Mineral resources of the Palisade Mesa and the Wall Wilderness Study Areas, Nye County, Nevada
Mineral resources of the South Reveille Wilderness Study Area, Nye County, Nevada
Comparison of survey and photogrammetry methods to positive gravity data, Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Preliminary principal facts for gravity stations on the Ely 1 by 2 degree Quadrangle, Nevada
Aeromagnetic map of the western central Sierra Nevada, California
HANDTC, a Fortran program to calculate innerzone terrain corrections
Preliminary Bouguer gravity map of California: San Bernardino sheet
Principal facts of gravity stations with gravity and magnetic profiles from the Southwest Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada, as of January, 1982
Preliminary appraisal of gravity and magnetic data at Syncline Ridge, western Yucca Flat, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada
Charleston Peak gravity calibration loop, Nevada
Preliminary gravity investigations of the Wahmonie site, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, 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