he returned to University of Chile. Since then he lived periods in both countries, to finally die in Chile in 2003. Awards and honours 1967: Ramón Salas Edwards Award, for his contributions in science and technology. 1984: José A. Cuevas Prize, distinguished by the College of Civil Engineers of Mexico. 1993: Full member of the Chilean Academy of Sciences. 1999: Raúl Devés Jullian Award, for his contributions to engineering education. 2000: Distinguished as Professor Emeritus by the University of Chile. 2009: BBC chose him as one of the five Latin Americans who changed the world. References 1923 births 2001 deaths Chilean geophysicists 20th-century Chilean engineers Members of the Chilean Academy of Sciences Seismologists University of Chile alumni University of Chile faculty National Autonomous University of Mexico faculty