Photo captures the Rio Grande, volcanic San Luis Hills, and Blanca Peak massif in the San Luis Basin, part of the Rio Grande rift. The basin - currently being studied by the USGS - is of interest for groundwater, petroleum, and mineral resources.
Benjamin J Drenth, Ph.D.
Ben Drenth is a Research Geophysicist in the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center in Denver, Colorado.
His research is focused on the interpretation of gravity and magnetic geophysical data, in conjunction with other types of geophysical data and geologic information, to address 3D geologic mapping problems at a variety of scales. He specializes in interpretation in challenging physical and geologic environments, such as high-relief terrain and areas where the rocks of interest are concealed. USGS areas of focus include the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping and Mineral Resource Programs.
Education and Certifications
PhD in geophysics from the University of Oklahoma, 2009
MS in geophysics from the University of Texas at El Paso, 2005
BS in geological engineering from Michigan Technological University, 2003
Science and Products
Geophysics of Precambrian Terranes, Upper Midwest and Rocky Mountains
Geophysics of the Midcontinent Rift Region
Multidisciplinary Studies to Image and Characterize the Mineral Resource Potential of the Midcontinent Rift, USA
Principal facts of regional gravity data in the Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming, 2022-2024 Principal facts of regional gravity data in the Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming, 2022-2024
Gravity data in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan for geophysical profile modeling of the Midcontinent Rift System and associated structures Gravity data in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan for geophysical profile modeling of the Midcontinent Rift System and associated structures
Principal facts of regional gravity data in the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, 2022-2023 Principal facts of regional gravity data in the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, 2022-2023
Density and magnetic susceptibility measurements on Precambrian rocks in the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, 2021-2022 Density and magnetic susceptibility measurements on Precambrian rocks in the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, 2021-2022
Yukon-Tanana Upland airborne magnetic geophysical data merge, version 2023 Yukon-Tanana Upland airborne magnetic geophysical data merge, version 2023
Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming, 2023 Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming, 2023
Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, Boulder Batholith region, Montana, 2022 Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, Boulder Batholith region, Montana, 2022
Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, South Pass-Granite Mountains region, Wyoming, 2023 Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, South Pass-Granite Mountains region, Wyoming, 2023
Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, Boulder Batholith region, Montana, 2022 Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, Boulder Batholith region, Montana, 2022
Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, northwestern Minnesota, 2021 Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, northwestern Minnesota, 2021
Airborne Magnetic Survey, Michigan Upper Peninsula Area, 2008 Airborne Magnetic Survey, Michigan Upper Peninsula Area, 2008
Airborne magnetic survey over northeast North Dakota, 2000-2001 Airborne magnetic survey over northeast North Dakota, 2000-2001
Geologic map of Big Bend National Park, Texas Geologic map of Big Bend National Park, Texas
Geologic Map of the San Luis Quadrangle, Costilla County, Colorado Geologic Map of the San Luis Quadrangle, Costilla County, Colorado

Photo captures the Rio Grande, volcanic San Luis Hills, and Blanca Peak massif in the San Luis Basin, part of the Rio Grande rift. The basin - currently being studied by the USGS - is of interest for groundwater, petroleum, and mineral resources.
The feasibility of using lidar-derived digital elevation models for gravity data reduction The feasibility of using lidar-derived digital elevation models for gravity data reduction
Geophysical mapping of the Great Lakes Tectonic Zone and surrounding Precambrian geology in the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan Geophysical mapping of the Great Lakes Tectonic Zone and surrounding Precambrian geology in the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Geophysical architecture of the Neoarchean Mentor anorthosite intrusive complex, northwestern Minnesota Geophysical architecture of the Neoarchean Mentor anorthosite intrusive complex, northwestern Minnesota
Aeromagnetic expression of the central Nagssugtoqidian Orogen, South-East Greenland Aeromagnetic expression of the central Nagssugtoqidian Orogen, South-East Greenland
Focus areas for data acquisition for potential domestic resources of 13 critical minerals in the conterminous United States and Puerto Rico — Antimony, barite, beryllium, chromium, fluorspar, hafnium, helium, magnesium, manganese, potash, uranium, vanadiu Focus areas for data acquisition for potential domestic resources of 13 critical minerals in the conterminous United States and Puerto Rico — Antimony, barite, beryllium, chromium, fluorspar, hafnium, helium, magnesium, manganese, potash, uranium, vanadiu
Geophysical insights into Paleoproterozoic tectonics along the southern margin of the Superior Province, central Upper Peninsula, Michigan Geophysical insights into Paleoproterozoic tectonics along the southern margin of the Superior Province, central Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Geophysical insights into Paleoproterozoic tectonics along the southern margin of the Superior Province, central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, USA Geophysical insights into Paleoproterozoic tectonics along the southern margin of the Superior Province, central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, USA
Evidence for a concealed Midcontinent Rift-related northeast Iowa intrusive complex Evidence for a concealed Midcontinent Rift-related northeast Iowa intrusive complex
Focus areas for data acquisition for potential domestic resources of 11 critical minerals in the conterminous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico—Aluminum, cobalt, graphite, lithium, niobium, platinum-group elements, rare earth elements, tantalum, tin, Focus areas for data acquisition for potential domestic resources of 11 critical minerals in the conterminous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico—Aluminum, cobalt, graphite, lithium, niobium, platinum-group elements, rare earth elements, tantalum, tin,
The US Geological Survey’s Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)—Providing framework geologic, geophysical, and elevation data to the nation’s critical mineral-bearing regions The US Geological Survey’s Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)—Providing framework geologic, geophysical, and elevation data to the nation’s critical mineral-bearing regions
Finding the gaps in America’s magnetic maps Finding the gaps in America’s magnetic maps
A shallow rift basin segmented in space and time: The southern San Luis Basin, Rio Grande rift, northern New Mexico, U.S.A. A shallow rift basin segmented in space and time: The southern San Luis Basin, Rio Grande rift, northern New Mexico, U.S.A.
Science and Products
Geophysics of Precambrian Terranes, Upper Midwest and Rocky Mountains
Geophysics of the Midcontinent Rift Region
Multidisciplinary Studies to Image and Characterize the Mineral Resource Potential of the Midcontinent Rift, USA
Principal facts of regional gravity data in the Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming, 2022-2024 Principal facts of regional gravity data in the Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming, 2022-2024
Gravity data in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan for geophysical profile modeling of the Midcontinent Rift System and associated structures Gravity data in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan for geophysical profile modeling of the Midcontinent Rift System and associated structures
Principal facts of regional gravity data in the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, 2022-2023 Principal facts of regional gravity data in the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, 2022-2023
Density and magnetic susceptibility measurements on Precambrian rocks in the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, 2021-2022 Density and magnetic susceptibility measurements on Precambrian rocks in the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, 2021-2022
Yukon-Tanana Upland airborne magnetic geophysical data merge, version 2023 Yukon-Tanana Upland airborne magnetic geophysical data merge, version 2023
Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming, 2023 Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming, 2023
Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, Boulder Batholith region, Montana, 2022 Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, Boulder Batholith region, Montana, 2022
Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, South Pass-Granite Mountains region, Wyoming, 2023 Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, South Pass-Granite Mountains region, Wyoming, 2023
Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, Boulder Batholith region, Montana, 2022 Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, Boulder Batholith region, Montana, 2022
Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, northwestern Minnesota, 2021 Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, northwestern Minnesota, 2021
Airborne Magnetic Survey, Michigan Upper Peninsula Area, 2008 Airborne Magnetic Survey, Michigan Upper Peninsula Area, 2008
Airborne magnetic survey over northeast North Dakota, 2000-2001 Airborne magnetic survey over northeast North Dakota, 2000-2001
Geologic map of Big Bend National Park, Texas Geologic map of Big Bend National Park, Texas
Geologic Map of the San Luis Quadrangle, Costilla County, Colorado Geologic Map of the San Luis Quadrangle, Costilla County, Colorado

Photo captures the Rio Grande, volcanic San Luis Hills, and Blanca Peak massif in the San Luis Basin, part of the Rio Grande rift. The basin - currently being studied by the USGS - is of interest for groundwater, petroleum, and mineral resources.
Photo captures the Rio Grande, volcanic San Luis Hills, and Blanca Peak massif in the San Luis Basin, part of the Rio Grande rift. The basin - currently being studied by the USGS - is of interest for groundwater, petroleum, and mineral resources.