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Benjamin P. Magnin, Ph.D.

Benjamin Magnin is a geologist with the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center in Denver, Colorado.

Ben’s work focuses on understanding the tectonic framework of mineral systems using structural and geophysical methods. He also integrates 3D magnetic/gravity inversions with structural modeling to interpret potentially buried mineral deposits, and he applies radiometric data for surface geologic interpretations. His projects pertain to magmatic and magmatic-hydrothermal deposits from both rift and convergent settings in the western U.S.

Professional Experience

  • Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, 2024-Present

  • Pathways Intern (Geology), U.S. Geological Survey, 2022-2024

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Geology, Colorado School of Mines

  • B.A., Geology, DePauw University

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • Society of Economic Geologists

  • Society of Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits

  • Geological Society of America, Structural Geology and Tectonics Division

Abstracts and Presentations

  • Magnin, B.P., Kuiper, Y.D., Mohr, M.T., Hanson, R.E., and Brake, S.S., 2024, Geochemical, geochronological, and isotopic traits of a newly discovered 1.36 Ga layered mafic intrusion in the Wet Mountains, CO: Implications for Mesoproterozoic tectonics: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 56, no. 5. doi: 10.1130/abs/2024AM-401676

  • Magnin, B.P., and Anderson, E.D., 2024, The effect of geochemical composition on the magnetic response of igneous intrusions near Butte, Montana: using open-source geochemistry to interpret Earth MRI data: Geological Society of America Joint Cordilleran and Rocky Mountain Section Meeting, v. 56, no. 4. doi: 10.1130/abs/2024CD-399394

  • Magnin, B.P., Brake, S.B., Kuiper, Y.D., and Hanson, R.E., 2023, Geochemical and petrologic analysis of a newly discovered layered mafic-ultramafic complex in the Wet Mountains, Colorado: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 55, no. 6. doi: 10.1130/abs/2023AM-390927

  • Magnin, B.P., Kuiper, Y.D., and Anderson, E.D., 2022, Failed rift-related alkaline magmatism and rare earth element deposits in the Wet Mountains, CO: the structural, geophysical, and geochronological story: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 54, no. 5. doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-377806

  • Magnin, B.P., Kuiper, Y.D., and Anderson, E.D., 2022, Structural and kinematic analysis of alkaline dikes and mineralized veins in the Wet Mountains, Colorado: connecting rare earth element mineralization to Cambrian rifting: Society of Economic Geologists 2022 Conference: Minerals For Our Future, Denver, CO.

  • Magnin, B.P., and Wilkerson, M.S., 2018, 2D and 3D Structural analysis of a mesoscopic fault-related fold: implications for using cross-section balancing to understand lateral variations in fold geometry: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 50, no. 6. doi: 10.1130/abs/2018AM-321783

Science and Products

link
mine pit lake

Porphyry Copper Systems of the Boulder batholith, Montana

The project seeks to better understand the mineral systems of the Boulder batholith and surrounding region in Montana using new airborne geophysical data in conjunction with geologic mapping.
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
link

Porphyry Copper Systems of the Boulder batholith, Montana

The project seeks to better understand the mineral systems of the Boulder batholith and surrounding region in Montana using new airborne geophysical data in conjunction with geologic mapping.
Learn More
link
Image shows a map and key of the United States with mineral locations marked with colored shapes

Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI)

The USGS, in combination with Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of Canada, formed the Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI) in 2019 to combine expertise and collaboratively conduct research on critical mineral resources.
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
link

Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI)

The USGS, in combination with Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of Canada, formed the Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI) in 2019 to combine expertise and collaboratively conduct research on critical mineral resources.
Learn More
link
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).
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
link

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).
Learn More

Magnetic susceptibility and gamma ray spectrometry measurements in southwestern Montana, 2023-2024

This dataset includes rock magnetic susceptibility and gamma ray spectrometer measurements from 243 outcrops in southwest Montana during 2023-2024. The measurements were collected to understand the causative sources of airborne magnetic and radiometric survey anomalies in the Idaho-Montana porphyry belt. Sixteen magnetic susceptibility measurements were collected at each analyzed site...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

A global database of porphyry copper deposits and prospects

Porphyry copper deposits are the world's primary source of copper and can also host a variety of secondary commodities identified as critical by the U.S. Geological Survey (U.S. Geological Survey, 2022). These deposits occur primarily along convergent plate margins, and their metal association and geochemical characteristics are reflective of whether the deposit formed in continental...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Thin section images, automated mineralogy scans, lithogeochemistry, and Nd-Sr-Pb isotopic analysis of samples from a mostly buried layered mafic intrusion, Wet Mountains, Colorado 2022-2024

This dataset includes thin section images, automated mineralogy mineral maps, whole-rock geochemical data, and whole-rock Nd-Sr-Pb isotopic analysis of samples collected from nine mafic-ultramafic outcrops in the Wet Mountains, southern Colorado, during the summer of 2022. These data will accompany an upcoming journal publication and are intended to supplement recently collected airborne...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Magnetic susceptibility and density measurements in the Wet Mountains, Colorado, 2022 to 2023

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected rock magnetic susceptibility and density measurements to understand the causative sources of airborne magnetic and ground gravity survey anomalies in the Wet Mountains, Colorado. A total of 609 magnetic susceptibility and 86 density measurements were collected from outcrops and hand samples, respectively, from July 2022 to June 2023. These...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Gravity data in the Wet Mountains area, southcentral Colorado, 2023

The U.S. Geological Survey collected ground gravity data as part of a helicopter reconnaissance campaign of the Democrat Creek alkaline complex and Deer Peak quadrangle in the Wet Mountains, Colorado. A total of 60 measurements were collected using a LaCoste and Romberg gravity meter. High accuracy geographic coordinates and elevations were collected using a survey grade Leica GS16...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Geochemical data for stream water samples from streams around the Pogo Deposit and Black Mountain Au occurrences, Big Delta quadrangle, Alaska, 2021

This data release is the result of a hydrogeochemical sampling campaign during summer 2021 to investigate whether high resolution geochemical analysis of waters for element chemistry can be used as an exploration tool for identifying gold-rich occurrences in parts of the Big Delta B-1 and B-2 quadrangles, within the Yukon-Tanana Upland region, Alaska. Historical USGS conventional stream...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Gravity data in the Wet Mountains area, southcentral Colorado, 2021 to 2022

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected gravity data in the Wet Mountains, CO from September 2021 to July 2022 to compliment newly collected airborne magnetic data for surface and subsurface geologic mapping. A total of 261 measurements were collected across two Ediacaran-Ordovician alkaline complexes (Gem Park and McClure Mountain) and gabbroic outcrops suspected Ediacaran...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the Wet Mountains, Colorado, 2021 to 2022

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected rock magnetic susceptibility measurements to understand the causative sources of airborne magnetic survey anomalies in the Wet Mountains, Colorado. A total of 808 measurements were collected over 50 locations from August 2021 to June 2022 on rocks ranging from Paleoproterozoic to Oligocene age. These measurements aid the interpretation of newly...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

The feasibility of using lidar-derived digital elevation models for gravity data reduction

Gravity data require submeter elevation accuracy for data processing, and differential global navigation satellite system (dGNSS) equipment is commonly used to acquire three-dimensional positional data to achieve such accuracy. However, lidar (light detection and ranging) data are commonly used to develop digital elevation models (DEMs) of Earth’s surface. Therefore, using elevations...
Authors
Jacob T. Murchek, Benjamin J. Drenth, James J. Reitman, Eric D. Anderson, Benjamin P. Magnin, James M. DeGraff
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, 3D Elevation Program

Ediacaran-Ordovician magmatism and REE mineralization in the Wet Mountains, Colorado, USA: Implications for failed continental rifting

Structures associated with Ediacaran-Ordovician alkaline magmatism and the timing of rare earth element (REE) mineralization in the Wet Mountains, CO, were analyzed using field, geophysical, and U-Th-Pb isotope methods to interpret their tectonic setting in the context of previously proposed rift models. The Wet Mountains are known for thorium and REE mineralization associated with...
Authors
Benjamin P. Magnin, Yvette Kuiper, Eric D. Anderson
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Science and Products

link
mine pit lake

Porphyry Copper Systems of the Boulder batholith, Montana

The project seeks to better understand the mineral systems of the Boulder batholith and surrounding region in Montana using new airborne geophysical data in conjunction with geologic mapping.
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
link

Porphyry Copper Systems of the Boulder batholith, Montana

The project seeks to better understand the mineral systems of the Boulder batholith and surrounding region in Montana using new airborne geophysical data in conjunction with geologic mapping.
Learn More
link
Image shows a map and key of the United States with mineral locations marked with colored shapes

Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI)

The USGS, in combination with Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of Canada, formed the Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI) in 2019 to combine expertise and collaboratively conduct research on critical mineral resources.
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
link

Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI)

The USGS, in combination with Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of Canada, formed the Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI) in 2019 to combine expertise and collaboratively conduct research on critical mineral resources.
Learn More
link
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).
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
link

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).
Learn More

Magnetic susceptibility and gamma ray spectrometry measurements in southwestern Montana, 2023-2024

This dataset includes rock magnetic susceptibility and gamma ray spectrometer measurements from 243 outcrops in southwest Montana during 2023-2024. The measurements were collected to understand the causative sources of airborne magnetic and radiometric survey anomalies in the Idaho-Montana porphyry belt. Sixteen magnetic susceptibility measurements were collected at each analyzed site...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

A global database of porphyry copper deposits and prospects

Porphyry copper deposits are the world's primary source of copper and can also host a variety of secondary commodities identified as critical by the U.S. Geological Survey (U.S. Geological Survey, 2022). These deposits occur primarily along convergent plate margins, and their metal association and geochemical characteristics are reflective of whether the deposit formed in continental...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Thin section images, automated mineralogy scans, lithogeochemistry, and Nd-Sr-Pb isotopic analysis of samples from a mostly buried layered mafic intrusion, Wet Mountains, Colorado 2022-2024

This dataset includes thin section images, automated mineralogy mineral maps, whole-rock geochemical data, and whole-rock Nd-Sr-Pb isotopic analysis of samples collected from nine mafic-ultramafic outcrops in the Wet Mountains, southern Colorado, during the summer of 2022. These data will accompany an upcoming journal publication and are intended to supplement recently collected airborne...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Magnetic susceptibility and density measurements in the Wet Mountains, Colorado, 2022 to 2023

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected rock magnetic susceptibility and density measurements to understand the causative sources of airborne magnetic and ground gravity survey anomalies in the Wet Mountains, Colorado. A total of 609 magnetic susceptibility and 86 density measurements were collected from outcrops and hand samples, respectively, from July 2022 to June 2023. These...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Gravity data in the Wet Mountains area, southcentral Colorado, 2023

The U.S. Geological Survey collected ground gravity data as part of a helicopter reconnaissance campaign of the Democrat Creek alkaline complex and Deer Peak quadrangle in the Wet Mountains, Colorado. A total of 60 measurements were collected using a LaCoste and Romberg gravity meter. High accuracy geographic coordinates and elevations were collected using a survey grade Leica GS16...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Geochemical data for stream water samples from streams around the Pogo Deposit and Black Mountain Au occurrences, Big Delta quadrangle, Alaska, 2021

This data release is the result of a hydrogeochemical sampling campaign during summer 2021 to investigate whether high resolution geochemical analysis of waters for element chemistry can be used as an exploration tool for identifying gold-rich occurrences in parts of the Big Delta B-1 and B-2 quadrangles, within the Yukon-Tanana Upland region, Alaska. Historical USGS conventional stream...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Gravity data in the Wet Mountains area, southcentral Colorado, 2021 to 2022

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected gravity data in the Wet Mountains, CO from September 2021 to July 2022 to compliment newly collected airborne magnetic data for surface and subsurface geologic mapping. A total of 261 measurements were collected across two Ediacaran-Ordovician alkaline complexes (Gem Park and McClure Mountain) and gabbroic outcrops suspected Ediacaran...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the Wet Mountains, Colorado, 2021 to 2022

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected rock magnetic susceptibility measurements to understand the causative sources of airborne magnetic survey anomalies in the Wet Mountains, Colorado. A total of 808 measurements were collected over 50 locations from August 2021 to June 2022 on rocks ranging from Paleoproterozoic to Oligocene age. These measurements aid the interpretation of newly...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

The feasibility of using lidar-derived digital elevation models for gravity data reduction

Gravity data require submeter elevation accuracy for data processing, and differential global navigation satellite system (dGNSS) equipment is commonly used to acquire three-dimensional positional data to achieve such accuracy. However, lidar (light detection and ranging) data are commonly used to develop digital elevation models (DEMs) of Earth’s surface. Therefore, using elevations...
Authors
Jacob T. Murchek, Benjamin J. Drenth, James J. Reitman, Eric D. Anderson, Benjamin P. Magnin, James M. DeGraff
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, 3D Elevation Program

Ediacaran-Ordovician magmatism and REE mineralization in the Wet Mountains, Colorado, USA: Implications for failed continental rifting

Structures associated with Ediacaran-Ordovician alkaline magmatism and the timing of rare earth element (REE) mineralization in the Wet Mountains, CO, were analyzed using field, geophysical, and U-Th-Pb isotope methods to interpret their tectonic setting in the context of previously proposed rift models. The Wet Mountains are known for thorium and REE mineralization associated with...
Authors
Benjamin P. Magnin, Yvette Kuiper, Eric D. Anderson
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

*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

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