Professor Hadj Benhallou died on 16 October 2011 in Algiers, Algeria, after a long illness. With him, we have lost an eminent seismologist and a great man.

Benhallou was the first Algerian seismologist–geophysicist (Ph.D. in Geophysics, University of Algiers, 1970). Along his long teaching career as a professor of geophysics, beginning in 1961, he trained and supported many students and young researchers who came to him led by the desire to contribute to research in the field of Earth sciences. Identified with the academic world of his country, he always supported the interests of the university community seeking to improve education, particularly at the University of Science and Technology Houari Boumedienne, where he was professor since 1961 and Dean of the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Territory Planning from 1999 to 2007. In the 1960s, he was instrumental in the reborn of the seismological service of Institute of Meteorology and Physics of the Globe of Algiers (IMPGA, Faculty of Science University of Algiers). Under his initiative, the National Centre for Astronomy, Astrophysics and Geophysics was created in 1980. This center was the continuity of the IMPGA, and under Benhallou, changed its structure and became, in 1986, the Centre of Research for Astronomy, Astrophysics and Geophysics, one of the best scientific research center in Algeria. He was also one of the founders, in the 1970s, of the Ibero-Maghrebian Working Group, for the study of seismic activity in the region. Benhallou was author/co-author of many research articles and co-edited a number of scientific books on a diversity of topics, especially, on historical seismicity as, for example, the first catalog covering six centuries of seismicity in Algeria. In 1971, he published the first works on historical earthquakes which occurred in Algeria. Under his direction, the first Algerian Telemetered Seismological Network was installed and the first geodetic measurements around the El Asnam fault were carried out.

With his work and dedication, Benhallou built an exemplary way in the Earth sciences, today joined by many researchers in his country. Many people who have known him acknowledge how much they owe to him as an inspiration and example in his dedication to science and his country. He has truly left a wonderful legacy to the scientific community and the Algerian society. We must endeavor to preserve this heritage and we thank him very much and mourn his loss.

Hadj, thanks for this fabulous treasure you have left us!

May he rest in peace.

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Hadj Benhallou, Algiers, January 2005