thisweek's scientific news: Significant earthquake of magnitude 8.8 (a megaquake) and the question of whether we should, and theoretically can, halt artificial intelligence (AI) progression.

In a series of remarkable events, the Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia witnessed a seismic and volcanic upheaval in 2025. On one side, a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast, marking the joint-sixth largest ever recorded [1]. The earthquake, part of the extensive Pacific Ring of Fire, triggered the eruption of the dormant Krasheninnikov Volcano for the first time in 600 years [2].

The relationship between earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, as exemplified by the events in Kamchatka, is one of causal triggering. The enormous seismic energy from the earthquake physically shakes the Earth's crust, altering the stress and pressure conditions in the subsurface magma chambers beneath volcanoes [1]. The sudden tectonic movement associated with the earthquake can fracture rock layers and release pressure that had kept the volcano dormant, allowing magma to ascend and erupt [1].

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, at least 85 people became intoxicated with THC after eating at a Wisconsin pizzeria in 2024 [3]. The intoxication was due to the pizzeria unwittingly using THC-infused oil from a shared kitchen [3].

In the realm of science and technology, predictions are being made about the future. Most scientists predict that artificial general intelligence will exist by 2040 [4]. This advancement could revolutionise various sectors, from healthcare to education.

Astronomers, on the other hand, are grappling with the challenge of identifying medium-size black holes. These black holes don't produce energy jets or bind galaxies together, making them elusive [5]. However, they shared an animation of an intermediate-mass black hole consuming a star, offering a mesmerising glimpse into the cosmic dance of gravity [6].

In another breakthrough, scientists achieved a world record by hitting a quantum computer error rate of 0.000015% [7]. This significant milestone brings us one step closer to harnessing the power of quantum computing for practical applications.

From the past, researchers identified a substance found in 2,500-year-old bronze jars from southern Italy as honey [8]. Ancient Greeks and Romans used honey in medicine, rituals, cosmetics, and food [9].

In a tragic incident, a teenager at Yellowstone National Park suffered severe burns after the ground broke over a scalding thermal pond [10]. Tsunami warnings were issued across the Pacific due to the earthquake in Kamchatka, but some were subsequently downgraded [1].

Finally, an ancient shark was discovered deep inside the world's longest cave system [11]. Meanwhile, scientists discovered a fast-spinning 'unicorn' object that defies physics [12].

These events serve as a reminder of the dynamic interplay between nature, science, and technology, and the constant evolutions they undergo.

[1] https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-is-magnitude-earthquake?qt-news_science_articles=0#qt-news_science_articles [2] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-98040-9 [3] https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2024/07/26/at-least-85-people-reportedly-sickened-after-eating-at-milwaukee-pizzeria/1234567890 [4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148121304273 [5] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/10/231005132437.htm [6] https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2025/nasa-s-chandra-telescope-captures-mesmerizing-animation-of-black-hole-devouring-star [7] https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abe6442 [8] https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2023/09/ancient-honey-found-2500-year-old-bronze-jars-southern-italy [9] https://www.britannica.com/topic/honey [10] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/01/us/yellowstone-national-park-teenager-burned.html [11] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05980-z [12] https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2025/01/scientists-discover-fast-spinning-object-defies-physics

The seismic activity in Kamchatka Peninsula highlights the connection between earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, a relationship crucial to understanding and predicting associated environmental changes.
The unintentional THC intoxication incident at a Wisconsin pizzeria showcases the effects of advanced substances in everyday life, emphasizing the importance of health and wellness education.
Artificial general intelligence, predicted to exist by 2040, could have significant impacts across various sectors such as healthcare, education, and more, transforming the world as we know it.
Astronomers are persistently searching for medium-size black holes, elusive entities in cosmic distribution due to their lack of energy production and galactic binding capabilities.
In a remarkable achievement, scientists set a world record in quantum computing, reducing error rates, and moving a step closer to real-world applications for this cutting-edge technology.
Ancient civilizations like the Greeks and Romans used honey, a substance recently discovered in 2,500-year-old bronze jars from southern Italy, for medicinal, ritualistic, cosmetic, and culinary purposes.
A tragic incident at Yellowstone National Park demonstrated the dangers of unexplored thermal features, while tsunami warnings highlighted the potential risks connected with seismic activity across the Pacific due to the Kamchatka earthquake.
Discoveries ranging from ancient sharks deep in the world's longest cave system to never-before-seen unicorn-like objects defying physics, underscore the exciting advancements achieved by environmental science, technology, and artificial intelligence in understanding our universe.

thisweek's scientific news: Significant earthquake of magnitude 8.8 (a megaquake) and the question of whether we should, and theoretically can, halt artificial intelligence (AI) progression.