Daniel Ponti is a research geologist at the Menlo Park, California, office of the U. S. Geological Survey, Earthquake Hazards Team. Dr. Ponti received B.S. and M.S. degrees in geology and engineering geology from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in Quaternary geology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
His research at the USGS has focused primarily on mapping, age-dating and stratigraphic analysis of Quaternary-age sedimentary deposits in southern California as a means of constraining rates of movement along active surface faults and blind thrusts. The critical need for robust stratigraphic framework for the L.A. area, to address both earthquake and groundwater issues, prompted the formation of one of the USGS’s first multi-disciplinary projects in southern California, which Dr. Ponti led from 2000-2006.
In addition to his L.A research, Dr. Ponti has also worked on evaluating the origin, paleoseismic history, and hazard potential of secondary ground ruptures produced by concealed faults, and has served as coordinator for USGS post-earthquake geologic studies following the 1989 Loma Prieta, 1992 Landers, 1994 Northridge, and 1999 Chi-chi (Taiwan) earthquakes.
