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
Proceedings of the Hayward Fault Workshop, Eastern San Francisco Bay Area, California, September 19-20, 2003
Aeromagnetic Expression of Buried Basaltic Volcanoes Near Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Relationship of epithermal gold deposits to large-scale fractures in northern Nevada
Large-scale fractures related to inception of the Yellowstone hotspot
Hydrogeologic framework of Antelope Valley and Bedell Flat, Washoe County, west-central Nevada
Petrography and physical properties of selected rock types associated with the Hayward Fault, California
Principal facts for gravity data along the Hayward fault and vicinity, San Francisco Bay area, northern California
Principal facts for gravity stations in the Antelope Valley-Bedell Flat area, west-central Nevada
Digital aeromagnetic map of the Nevada Test Site and vicinity, Nye, Lincoln, and Clark Counties, Nevada and Inyo County, California
Digital isostatic gravity map of the Nevada Test Site and vicinity, Nye, Lincoln, and Clark Counties, Nevada, and Inyo County, California
Aeromagnetic Survey of the Amargosa Desert, Nevada and California: A Tool for Understanding Near-Surface Geology and Hydrology
Summary of geophysical investigations of the Death Valley regional water-flow modeling project, Nevada and California
Science and Products
- Science
- Data
- Maps
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 119
Proceedings of the Hayward Fault Workshop, Eastern San Francisco Bay Area, California, September 19-20, 2003
No abstract available.AuthorsDavid A. Ponce, Roland Burgmann, Russell W. Graymer, James J. Lienkaemper, Diane E. Moore, David P. SchwartzAeromagnetic Expression of Buried Basaltic Volcanoes Near Yucca Mountain, Nevada
A high-resolution aeromagnetic survey has defined a number of small dipolar anomalies indicating the presence of magnetic bodies buried beneath the surface of Crater Flat and the Amargosa Desert. Results of potential-field modeling indicate that isolated, small-volume, highly magnetic bodies embedded within the alluvial deposits of both areas produce the anomalies. Their physical characteristics aAuthorsDennis W. O'Leary, E. A. Mankinen, R. J. Blakely, V. E. Langenheim, D. A. PonceRelationship of epithermal gold deposits to large-scale fractures in northern Nevada
Geophysical maps of northern Nevada reveal at least three and possibly six large-scale arcuate features, one of which corresponds to the northern Nevada rift that possibly extends more than 1,000 km from the Oregon- Idaho border to southern Nevada. These features may reflect deep discontinuities within the earth's crust, possibly related to the impact of the Yellowstone hot spot. Because mid-MioceAuthorsD. A. Ponce, J.M.G. GlenLarge-scale fractures related to inception of the Yellowstone hotspot
During middle Miocene time, western North America was subject to flood-basalt volcanism, dike-swarm injection, and broad-scale fracturing and folding of the crust. We propose a simple model to account for these events and for a regional pattern of geologic and geophysical features. Aeromagnetic maps reveal some of the most important elements of this pattern, which are several narrow, arcuate anomaAuthorsJ.M.G. Glen, D. A. PonceHydrogeologic framework of Antelope Valley and Bedell Flat, Washoe County, west-central Nevada
Description of the hydrogeologic framework of Antelope Valley and Bedell Flat in west-central Nevada adds to the general knowledge of regional ground-water flow north of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area. The hydrogeologic framework is defined by the rocks and deposits that transmit ground water or impede its movement and by the combined thickness of Cenozoic deposits. When data are lacking aboutAuthorsD.L. Berger, D. A. Ponce, W.C. RossPetrography and physical properties of selected rock types associated with the Hayward Fault, California
This report provides brief petrographic descriptions of rock samples collected from the vicinity of the Hayward Fault, Northern California. Two groups of rock samples are represented here: A set of six samples that were used for laboratory measurements of P- and S-wave velocity , strength, density, and porosity. This group was examined using standard petrographic microscope, scanning electron micAuthorsDiane E. Moore, David A. PoncePrincipal facts for gravity data along the Hayward fault and vicinity, San Francisco Bay area, northern California
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) established over 940 gravity stations along the Hayward fault and vicinity. The Hayward fault, regarded as one of the most hazardous faults in northern California (Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities, 1999), extends for about 90 km from Fremont in the southeast to San Pablo Bay in the northwest. The Hayward fault is predominantly a right-lateral sAuthorsDavid A. PoncePrincipal facts for gravity stations in the Antelope Valley-Bedell Flat area, west-central Nevada
In April 2000 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) established 211 gravity stations in the Antelope Valley and Bedell Flat area of west-central Nevada (see figure 1). The stations were located about 15 miles north of Reno, Nevada, southwest of Dogskin Mountain, and east of Petersen Mountain, concentrated in Antelope Valley and Bedell Flat (figure 2). The ranges in this area primarily consist of normaAuthorsEleanore B. Jewel, David A. Ponce, Robert L. MorinDigital aeromagnetic map of the Nevada Test Site and vicinity, Nye, Lincoln, and Clark Counties, Nevada and Inyo County, California
An aeromagnetic map of the Nevada Test Site area was prepared from publicly available aeromagnetic data described by McCafferty and Grauch (1997). Magnetic surveys were processed using standard techniques. Southwest Nevada is characterized by magnetic anomalies that reflect the distribution of thick sequences of volcanic rocks, magnetic sedimentary rocks, and the occurrence of granitic rocks. In aAuthorsDavid A. PonceDigital isostatic gravity map of the Nevada Test Site and vicinity, Nye, Lincoln, and Clark Counties, Nevada, and Inyo County, California
An isostatic gravity map of the Nevada Test Site area was prepared from publicly available gravity data (Ponce, 1997) and from gravity data recently collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (Mankinen and others, 1999; Morin and Blakely, 1999). Gravity data were processed using standard gravity data reduction techniques. Southwest Nevada is characterized by gravity anomalies that reflect the distriAuthorsDavid A. Ponce, E. A. Mankinen, J. G. Davidson, R. L. Morin, R. J. BlakelyAeromagnetic Survey of the Amargosa Desert, Nevada and California: A Tool for Understanding Near-Surface Geology and Hydrology
A high-resolution aeromagnetic survey of the Amargosa Desert and surrounding areas provides insights into the buried geology of this structurally complex region. The survey covers an area of approximately 7,700 km2 (2,970 mi2), extending from Beatty, Nevada, to south of Shoshone, California, and includes parts of the Nevada Test Site and Death Valley National Park. Aeromagnetic flight lines were oAuthorsRichard J. Blakely, Victoria E. Langenheim, David A. Ponce, Gary L. DixonSummary of geophysical investigations of the Death Valley regional water-flow modeling project, Nevada and California
This report summarizes geophysical investigations in the Amargosa Desert and surrounding areas conducted between 1997 and 2000 in support of the Death Valley Regional Water-Flow Modeling Project of the U.S. Geological Survey. These investigations used both gravity and aeromagnetic data to develop a regional-scale tectonic and lithologic model for the near-surface. Gravity data were inverted in ordAuthorsRichard J. Blakely, Victoria E. Langenheim, David A. Ponce - News
*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