Humberto Fuenzalida
Born	(1904-03-27)27 March 1904 Curicó, Chile
Died	24 February 1966(1966-02-24) (aged 61) Chile
Nationality	Chilean
Alma mater	University of Chile
Scientific career
Fields	Climatology Geology Physical geography Paleontology

Humberto Fuenzalida Villegas (1904–1966) was a Chilean geologist, paleontologist and geographer. Fuenzalida headed in turn the geography and geology departments of the University of Chile, ^[1] being also founder of Sociedad Geológica de Chile, a professional society grouping Chile's geologists. ^[2] In 1938 he took charge of the geological and paleontological collection of Chilean National Museum of Natural History by request of Ricardo E. Latcham. ^[2] In 1948 he became director of the museum holding that post until 1964 when he was succeeded by Grete Mostny.^{[ citation needed]} Fuenzalida championed the establishment of a geology degree in the University of Chile, leading a successful effort in 1961. ^[1]

In the 1926–1930 period Fuenzalida studied in Sorbonne, Paris with teachers such as Emmanuel de Martonne, Émile Haug and León Lyteaud. He died in 1966 after a long period of illness. ^[2]

Career as scientist

The work of Fuenzalida spanned the whole Chilean territory, studying the geology around Puelo River, the volcanoes of Maule Region ( Quizapu, Descabezado Grande, Descabezado Chico), Arauco Basin, Magallanes Basin, plus the South Shetland Islands in Chilean Antarctica. ^[2]

In addition he did some confidential work for ENAP and a work on the borders between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a time the Beagle conflict was latent. ^[2]

Subjects he dealt with include sea-level change, the Andean orogeny (within a Geosynclinal theory framework), volcanism in Chile and Antarctica, sand dunes, economic geography, and reflections on figures such as Juan Ignacio Molina, Claudio Gay, Diego Barros Arana and Ricardo E. Latcham. ^[2]

Physical geography and climatology were Fuenzalida's research interests of choice. ^[1]

References