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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

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Map of regional tectonic setting and bedrock geology for the Lake Superior region, MN, WI, MI

Geophysics of Precambrian Terranes, Upper Midwest and Rocky Mountains

The project objective is to provide follow-up geophysical ground data acquisition and interpretation for areas involving Precambrian geologic settings in the Upper Midwest and Rocky Mountains. The project is designed fill gaps and to complement the high-quality aeromagnetic acquired during the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI).
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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Geophysics of Precambrian Terranes, Upper Midwest and Rocky Mountains

The project objective is to provide follow-up geophysical ground data acquisition and interpretation for areas involving Precambrian geologic settings in the Upper Midwest and Rocky Mountains. The project is designed fill gaps and to complement the high-quality aeromagnetic acquired during the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI).
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Midcontinent 3D resistivity model

Geophysics of the Midcontinent Rift Region

The Midcontinent Rift system and surrounding Precambrian rocks are known to host highly significant mineral resources. Our project objectives are to increase understanding of this system through the integration of new and legacy geophysical data with geochemical and borehole data, map the lithology and structure of PreCambrian rocks, and develop an integrated 3D geologic model of the region.
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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Geophysics of the Midcontinent Rift Region

The Midcontinent Rift system and surrounding Precambrian rocks are known to host highly significant mineral resources. Our project objectives are to increase understanding of this system through the integration of new and legacy geophysical data with geochemical and borehole data, map the lithology and structure of PreCambrian rocks, and develop an integrated 3D geologic model of the region.
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aeromagnetic anomaly map

Multidisciplinary Studies to Image and Characterize the Mineral Resource Potential of the Midcontinent Rift, USA

This multidisciplinary study seeks to image and characterize the mineral resource potential of the Midcontinent Rift System. Combining various geophysical methods with detailed mapping and geochemical analyses will help to define the geographic extent of the Rift and clarify its geologic makeup and configuration.
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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Multidisciplinary Studies to Image and Characterize the Mineral Resource Potential of the Midcontinent Rift, USA

This multidisciplinary study seeks to image and characterize the mineral resource potential of the Midcontinent Rift System. Combining various geophysical methods with detailed mapping and geochemical analyses will help to define the geographic extent of the Rift and clarify its geologic makeup and configuration.
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Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, northwestern Minnesota, 2021

This data release provides digital flight line data for a high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric survey over parts of northwestern Minnesota near the town of Mentor. The airborne survey was funded by the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative and was designed to meet complementary needs related to geologic mapping and characterization of mineral resource potential. A total of 40,139-line km
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Airborne Magnetic Survey, Michigan Upper Peninsula Area, 2008

This publication provides digital flight line data for a high-resolution magnetic survey over an area of the west-central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The survey was flown in 2008 by Aeroquest under contract to Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company using a fixed-wing aircraft with a magnetometer mounted in a tail stinger. The USGS has obtained this 66,074 line km subset of the survey dataset for public
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Airborne magnetic survey over northeast North Dakota, 2000-2001

This data release is a re-release of an airborne geophysical survey carried out for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) by Spectra Exploration Geoscience Corp., from November 2000 to February 2001. The purpose of this survey was to acquire high-resolution, high-sensitivity aeromagnetic data over an area in northeast and north-central North Dakota and assess the area for anomalies and magnet
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Data Release - Geologic map of the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan

This dataset supports the publication "Geophysical insights into Paleoproterozoic tectonics along the southern margin of the Superior Province, central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, USA." At a 1:100,000 scale, these data are in a geologic database in the Geologic Map Schema (GeMS) which includes spatial feature classes and non-spatial tables that contain the geologic information presented i
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Office of the Director

Airborne Geophysical Survey Inventory of the Conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico (ver. 3.0, November 2021)

This data release is a compilation of the locations of airborne geophysical surveys in the United States. The inventory documents public airborne geophysical surveys primarily flown by or contracted by the USGS from 1943 to present. In addition, surveys from the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS): Airborne GeophysWeb, the Bureau
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Airborne Magnetic Total-Field Survey, Iron Mountain-Menominee Region, Michigan-Wisconsin, USA

This data release includes the airborne magnetic survey data collected from the Iron Mountain-Menominee region of Michigan and Wisconsin. The Mineral Resources Program of the U.S. Geological Survey is tasked with understanding the nation's mineral resources. Precambrian rocks in the region are poorly mapped and understood. Detailed high-resolution airborne magnetic surveys, ground gravity surveys,
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Airborne magnetic survey, Iron Mountain-Chatham region, central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, 2018

This publication provides digital flight line data for a high-resolution magnetic survey over an area of the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The survey area lies approximately between the towns of Iron Mountain and Chatham. Data for this survey were collected by EON Geosciences under contract with the USGS using a fixed wing aircraft with a magnetometer mounted in the tail stinger. The survey
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Principal facts of regional gravity data in the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, and northeastern Wisconsin

Gravity data were collected from 2016 through 2019 to assist in mapping surface and subsurface geology in the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan and in neighboring northeastern Wisconsin. This data release provides principal facts for 1536 new gravity stations that were acquired to supplement existing public gravity data coverage.
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Density and magnetic susceptibility measurements on Precambrian rocks in the Iron Mountain-Menominee region, Michigan-Wisconsin

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected rock physical property measurements to help understand causative sources of gravity and magnetic survey anomalies in the Iron Mountain-Menominee region, Michigan-Wisconsin. A total of 2,356 measurements of magnetic susceptibility and density from 152 locations have been conducted on Precambrian rocks. The measurements aid in interpretation of newly acqui
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Airborne magnetic and radiometric survey of the southeast Mojave Desert, California and Nevada

A high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric survey of the southeast Mojave Desert, parts of California and Nevada was flown by EDCON-PRJ, Inc. from December 13, 2019 to March 21, 2020. The high-resolution fixed-wing survey was flown at a flightline spacing of 200 m, an azimuth of 70 degrees, a nominal elevation above ground of 100 m, and consists of about 17,277 line-kilometers. Tie lines
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Principal facts of regional gravity data in northeast Iowa

Gravity data were collected from 2016 through 2018 to assist in mapping subsurface geology in northeastern Iowa. This data release provides principal facts for 1080 new gravity stations that were acquired to supplement existing public gravity data coverage. References cited: Blakely, R.J., 1995, Potential Theory in Gravity and Magnetic Applications, Cambridge University Press, 441 p. Internation
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

GIS and Data Tables for Focus Areas for Potential Domestic Nonfuel Sources of Rare Earth Elements

In response to Executive Order 13817 of December 20, 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) coordinated with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to identify 35 nonfuel minerals or mineral materials considered critical to the economic and national security of the United States (U.S.). Acquiring information on possible domestic sources of these critical minerals is the basis of the USGS Earth Mappi
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Geologic map of Big Bend National Park, Texas

The purpose of this map is to provide the National Park Service and the public with an updated digital geologic map of Big Bend National Park (BBNP). The geologic map report of Maxwell and others (1967) provides a fully comprehensive account of the important volcanic, structural, geomorphological, and paleontological features that define BBNP. However, the map is on a geographically distorted plan
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Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Geologic Map of the San Luis Quadrangle, Costilla County, Colorado

The map area includes San Luis and the primarily rural surrounding area. San Luis, the county seat of Costilla County, is the oldest surviving settlement in Colorado (1851). West of the town are San Pedro and San Luis mesas (basalt-covered tablelands), which are horsts with the San Luis fault zone to the east and the southern Sangre de Cristo fault zone to the west. The map also includes the Sanch
Midcontinent aeromagnetic anomalies
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Image: Rio Grande, San Luis Hills, and Blanca Peak in San Luis Basin
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Image shows a helicopter resting on the prairie with mountains in the background
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Filter Total Items: 35

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,

In response to a need for information on potential domestic sources of critical minerals, the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) was established to identify and prioritize areas for acquisition of new geologic mapping, geophysical data, and elevation data to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework of the United States. Phase 1 of Earth MRI concentrated on those geologic terrane
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Energy and Minerals, Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

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

The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is conducted in phases to identify areas for acquiring new geologic framework data to identify potential domestic resources of the 35 mineral materials designated as critical minerals for the United States. This report describes the data sources and summary results for 13 critical minerals evaluated in the conterminous United States and Puerto Ric
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Energy and Minerals, Mineral Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Geophysical insights into Paleoproterozoic tectonics along the southern margin of the Superior Province, central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, USA

The southern margin of the Archean Superior Province in the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan was a nexus for key Paleoproterozoic tectonic events involved in the ~2.1 Ga rifting of proposed Archean supercraton Superia and subsequent assembly of Laurentia. Interpretations of the region’s tectonic history have historically been hampered by extensive Pleistocene glacial and Paleozoic sedimentary c
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Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Evidence for a concealed Midcontinent Rift-related northeast Iowa intrusive complex

Large amplitude aeromagnetic and gravity anomalies over a ~9500 km2 area of northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota have been interpreted to reflect the northeast Iowa intrusive complex (NEIIC), a buried intrusive igneous complex composed of mafic/ultramafic rocks in the Yavapai Province (1.8–1.7 Ga). Hundreds of meters of Paleozoic sedimentary cover and a paucity of basement drilling have prevente
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Notes on interpretation of geophysical data over areas of mineralization in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has the potential to contain substantial metallic mineral resources. Although valuable mineral deposits have been identified, much of the country’s potential remains unknown. Geophysical surveys, particularly those conducted from airborne platforms, are a well-accepted and cost-effective method for obtaining information on the geological setting of a given area. This report summarizes

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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

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

New detailed mapping of the geologic resources of the Nation has the potential to significantly close the gap in the essential data needed to fuel a modern era of economic development and technological innovation, while at the same time dramatically enhancing our understanding of the fundamental way geology impacts everyday life, from the domestic critical mineral resources that are necessary for
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Natural Hazards, Alaska Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Identification of mineral resources in Afghanistan—Detecting and mapping resource anomalies in prioritized areas using geophysical and remote sensing (ASTER and HyMap) data

As part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Department of Defense Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO) natural resources revitalization activities in Afghanistan (Peters and others, 2011), three new datasets have been collected, compiled, and analyzed. These data have been used to more fully evaluate the areas of interest (AOIs; fig. 1 ) where, on the basis of previous U.S

Finding the gaps in America’s magnetic maps

No abstract available.
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

A shallow rift basin segmented in space and time: The southern San Luis Basin, Rio Grande rift, northern New Mexico, U.S.A.

Interpretation of gravity, magnetotelluric, and aeromagnetic data in conjunction with geologic constraints reveals details of basin geometry, thickness, and spatiotemporal evolution of the southern San Luis Basin, one of the major basins of the northern Rio Grande rift. Spatial variations of low-density basin-fill thickness are estimated primarily using a 3D gravity inversion method that improves
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

A shifting rift—Geophysical insights into the evolution of Rio Grande rift margins and the Embudo transfer zone near Taos, New Mexico

We present a detailed example of how a subbasin develops adjacent to a transfer zone in the Rio Grande rift. The Embudo transfer zone in the Rio Grande rift is considered one of the classic examples and has been used as the inspiration for several theoretical models. Despite this attention, the history of its development into a major rift structure is poorly known along its northern extent near Ta
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Geophysical expression of buried range-front embayment structure: Great Sand Dunes National Park, Rio Grande rift, Colorado

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (GRSA, Colorado) lies along the eastern margin of the San Luis Basin and the tectonically active Sangre de Cristo fault system that are part of the northern Rio Grande rift. GRSA lies within a prominent embayment in the range front where two separate sections of the Sangre de Cristo fault system intersect. Fault scarps are observed along both intersectin
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Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Geologic map and cross sections of the Embudo Fault Zone in the Southern Taos Valley, Taos County, New Mexico

The southern Taos Valley encompasses the physiographic and geologic transition zone between the Picuris Mountains and the San Luis Basin of the Rio Grande rift. The Embudo fault zone is the rift transfer structure that has accommodated the kinematic disparities between the San Luis Basin and the Española Basin during Neogene rift extension. The eastern terminus of the transfer zone coincides with
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Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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Less than One Percent of the United States Covered by Aeromagnetic Data that Meet Modern Standards

Less than one percent of the United States is mapped by aeromagnetic data that fully meet modern standards and best practices, according to a recent...

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Media Advisory: Low-Level Flights to Begin Assessing Local Mineral Resources this Monday

U.S. Geological Survey scientists will conduct a high-resolution airborne survey to study the rock layers under a region of northeastern Iowa...

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