Ethiopia Evacuates 80,000 After Earthquakes, Fears Of Volcanic Eruption

staff writer • January 13, 2025

Ethiopia is experiencing  significant seismic and volcanic activity, primarily affecting the regions of Afar, Oromia, and Amhara.


Overview of Ethiopia Seismic Activity:


Intensity and Frequency: Since late December 2024, there has been an increase in seismic activity with over 80 earthquakes reported, the strongest being a magnitude 5.8 earthquake on January 4, 2025. The activity has been concentrated around the Dofen mountains in the Awash Fentale district, extending into Oromia and Afar regions.



Which Volcanos 🌋 are Active?


Dofen Volcano:

There have been signs of volcanic activity, including steam emissions, smoke, and mud emissions from newly formed vents around the Dofen volcano, which is situated in the Dulecha district. This activity has raised concerns about a possible eruption, prompting preventive evacuations.


Other Volcanoes:

The Fentale volcano has also shown signs of increased activity, with reports of shallow magma intrusion, which might not result in an eruption but has contributed to the seismic swarm.


Government Action: The Ethiopian government has taken decisive measures by evacuating populations from high-risk areas and establishing Incident Command Posts in Metehara and Awash to manage the crisis. Emergency workers have been deployed to assess damage and coordinate relief efforts.


Experts from various institutions, including Addis Ababa University and the Ethiopian Geological Institute, are closely monitoring the situation, with ongoing assessments.


Evacuations and Relief:


Approximately 80,000 individuals have been affected, with 60,000 in Afar and 20,000 in Oromia. Humanitarian aid, including emergency shelter materials, healthcare services, and relocation to safer areas, is being provided.


:The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing monitoring for both seismic and volcanic activity, reflecting Ethiopia's position on the East African Rift where such geological events are not uncommon but can be significantly impactful


the Surge in Earthquakes Near Ethiopia: What's Next?

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The recent spate of earthquakes, which prompted the evacuation of approximately 80,000 people, underscores the significant geological unrest in the region.


Erta Ale, known for its persistent lava lake, has been one of the most active volcanoes in Ethiopia, while Dabbahu's eruption in 2005 highlighted the latent volcanic threat in the region.


Recent seismic activity has been closely monitored by Ethiopian geological agencies and international experts, given the potential implications for both human safety and regional stability.



Ethiopia's Geothermal Hotspots are active as of January 2025


Recognizing the urgency of the situation, authorities coordinated with local officials, the military, and non-governmental organizations to facilitate the safe and orderly relocation of approximately 80,000 residents from the affected regions.


Temporary shelters equipped with essential supplies such as food, water, and medical aid in nearby safe zones. To expedite the evacuation process, fleets of public and private transport vehicles, including buses and trucks, were mobilized. 


Impact On EthiopiaN Communities


Many of those evacuated are now housed in temporary shelters, lacking adequate access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, and healthcare, intensifying their vulnerability.

Phantom Neuro Secures $19M To Advance Human-Machine Muscle Memory

By staff writer • September 19, 2025
Phantom Neuro, an Austin, Texas-based neurotechnology startup spun out of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, has secured an oversubscribed $19 million Series A funding round, bringing its total funding to $28 million, announced on April 15, 2025. How Phantom Neuro Integrates Muscle Memory in AI Prosthetics Phantom Neuro’s Phantom X platform integrates muscle memory by implanting a small electrode array under the skin over residual muscles, capturing natural neural signals generated when users intend to move. These electromyographic signals, processed through AI algorithms, enable the prosthetic to learn and adapt to the user’s unique patterns, replicating intuitive control akin to biological limbs. In a recent ASCENT study, the system achieved 94% accuracy across 11 hand and wrist movements, allowing non-invasive adaptation without extensive retraining. Phantom Neuro’s Tech vs. elon musk's neuralink The $19 million Series A, closed in April 2025, values Phantom Neuro as a key player in neurotech, enabling acceleration of its Phantom X platform from prototype to clinical trials. Ottobock’s leadership investment, with a board seat for its CFO Dr. Arne Kreitz, underscores strategic alignment in prosthetics commercialization. The capital will fund outpatient-implantable electrode arrays that detect electromyographic (EMG) signals from residual muscles, translating them via AI into precise prosthetic commands. This funding builds on prior seed rounds, positioning the company to extend applications beyond prosthetics to robotics and exoskeletons, in a sector where neural interfaces could reduce user training time by 50%. Future Prospects for Phantom Neuro When can you Expect it to hit market Experts praise Phantom Neuro’s approach for its minimally invasive nature and high accuracy, with Dr. Arne Kreitz noting its potential to lead prosthetics markets by providing effective, patient-centered solutions. Researchers highlight the technology’s role in revolutionizing rehab, where AI-driven adaptation could shorten recovery by 25% through natural muscle retraining. What is Phantom Neuro and its main technology? An Austin-tech-based neurotech firm developing the Phantom X neural interface for intuitive prosthetic control using muscle signals spun out of Johns Hopkins in 2021 . Who led the $19M Series A funding round? Phantom Neuro’s $19 million Series A funding in April 2025, led by Ottobock, accelerates its Phantom X platform, integrating AI and muscle memory for 94% accurate neural control in prosthetics. With total funding at $28 million and trials slated for 2026, the company is set to transform human-machine interfaces in a $12.3 billion market by 2030, enhancing autonomy for amputees and beyond. This milestone, backed by DARPA and FDA progress, promises profound quality-of-life improvements and innovation in rehab and robotics. For more on neurotech advancements, visit Objectwire.org .

Psiquantum Raises $1B To Build Quantum Computers In Chicago And Australia

By staff writer • September 17, 2025
PsiQuantum, a leading quantum computing company, has raised $1 billion in a Series E funding round, valuing it at $7 billion, announced on September 10, 2025. PsiQuantum’s Plans for Quantum Computing Hubs in Chicago and Brisbane This capital will fund the construction of utility-scale quantum computing sites in Chicago, Illinois, and Brisbane, Australia, targeting million-qubit, fault-tolerant systems using silicon photonics technology. Led by BlackRock affiliates, Temasek, and Baillie Gifford, the round includes investors like NVIDIA Ventures and the Qatar Investment Authority, building on over $1.3 billion raised previously. With the global quantum computing market projected to reach $65 billion by 2030 , growing at a 32.7% CAGR, PsiQuantum’s photonic approach promises scalable, error-corrected computation. PsiQuantum’s $1 Billion Series E Funding Round The $1 billion Series E round, closed in September 2025, equips PsiQuantum to break ground on facilities in Chicago and Brisbane , deploy prototype systems, and advance photonic chips manufactured at GlobalFoundries’ Fab 8 in New York. These sites will host the world’s first million-qubit-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers, focusing on error-corrected architectures to overcome qubit decoherence. The funding supports modular cooling solutions and high-volume semiconductor production, eliminating traditional cryostats for efficient scaling. PsiQuantum’s valuation at $7 billion post-money reflects investor confidence in its photonic qubits, which leverage telecom wavelengths for room-temperature operation of control systems. This investment caps a surge in quantum venture funding, following raises by QuEra ($230 million) and IQM ($300 million), positioning PsiQuantum to lead in practical quantum applications. PsiQuantum will establish utility-scale hubs in Chicago and Brisbane to manufacture and operate fault-tolerant quantum systems, leveraging local talent and infrastructure. The Breakthrough Potential of Fault-Tolerant Quantum Technology Fault-tolerant quantum technology is essential for reliable computation, using error-correction codes to mitigate qubit errors from noise and decoherence. PsiQuantum’s silicon photonics enables scalable qubits via high-volume manufacturing, targeting one million physical qubits for logical operations. This breakthrough could solve intractable problems in cryptography, where quantum computers threaten RSA encryption, and pharmaceuticals, simulating molecules for drug discovery at speeds 1,000 times faster than classical supercomputers . By achieving fault tolerance, PsiQuantum aims to deliver utility-scale machines for optimization in finance and logistics, reducing error rates below 10^-15 per gate. Who led PsiQuantum’s funding round? BlackRock affiliates, Temasek, and Baillie Gifford, with participation from NVIDIA Ventures and Qatar Investment Authority . What is the timeline for PsiQuantum’s quantum computers? Prototypes by 2026, full-scale sites operational by early 2030s, targeting commercial utility . PsiQuantum’s Funding Ushers in fault-tolerant quantum computers. With their 1 billion dollar check they will be setting up headquarters in Chicago and Brisbane representing a transformative leap in quantum computing. Valued at $7 billion, this initiative could unlock trillion-dollar impacts across industries, fostering global collaboration and economic growth in a $65 billion market by 2030 . As construction begins, PsiQuantum positions itself at the forefront of the quantum revolution, promising breakthroughs in computation and science. For more on quantum technology trends, sunscribe to the Objectwire.org .

Avalanche and Toyota Blockchain Partner to Revolutionize Autonomous Robotaxi Infrastructure

By staff writer • September 15, 2025
The partnership between Avalanche (Avax) and Toyota Blockchain Lab (the research department of toyota) to build Mobility Orchestration Networkis. MON is reshaping urban mobility by integrating blockchain technology with autonomous vehicle systems. Multi-chain framework: The MON prototype features four custom, Avalanche-based Layer-1 blockchains, each handling specific functions: Issuance of security tokens Management of mobility rights Tracking of service usage Operations for stablecoins Why are Avalanche Blockchain and Toyota Collaborating on Atomized driving Taxis. Announced in September 2025, their collaboration introduces the Mobility Orchestration Network (MON) is a a blockchain-based infrastructure designed to power autonomous robotaxi fleets. Leveraging Avalanche’s high-throughput platform and Toyota’s expertise in autonomous driving, MON aims to create a secure, transparent, and efficient ecosystem for next-generation transportation. The Avalanche-Toyota Blockchain Lab partnership, launched in September 2025, marks a pivotal step in merging blockchain with autonomous mobility. The Mobility Orchestration Network (MON) aims to streamline robotaxi operations, from financing to ride-sharing, using Avalanche’s scalable blockchain. What is the Mobility Orchestration Network (MON)? A Blockchain-Based Mobility Solution by Toyota MON is a blockchain intermediary network designed to “orchestrate trust and unlock mobility’s value” for autonomous robotaxi fleets. Built on Avalanche’s multichain infrastructure and Interchain Messaging (ICM), it enables secure data sharing for vehicle financing, ride-sharing, insurance, and carbon credit tracking. MON’s neutral platform integrates with existing networks, supporting decentralized business models, per toyota-blockchain-lab.org . Key Applications MON supports on-chain operations like leasing, payments, and ownership transfers, creating a seamless ecosystem for robotaxi fleets. Its proof-of-concept, funded with $10.8 million, aims to standardize mobility processes, per en.cryptonomist.ch . Research Insight: MON’s prototype handles 1,000 transactions per second, per Avalanche’s technical specs. Role of Avalanche in Autonomous Robotaxi Infrastructure Why Avalanche’s Blockchain? Avalanche’s platform, known for sub-second finality and high throughput, processes thousands of transactions per second, ideal for real-time robotaxi data demands. Its multichain framework supports dedicated chains for mobility, ensuring scalability and security, per blockonomi.com . Tokenizing Mobility MON introduces VehicleOwnership tokens (ERC-721 NFTs) linked to Mobility Oriented Accounts (MOAs), enabling seamless ownership transfers and financing. This tokenization reduces administrative costs by 50%, per a 2025 Benzinga analysis, allowing investors to fund and track robotaxi fleets transparently. Decentralized Robotaxi Operations MON envisions robotaxis running on decentralized systems, with smart contracts automating ride scheduling, billing, and maintenance. This could reduce operational costs by 20%, per cryptorobotics.ai , enhancing efficiency for operators and passengers. Research Insight: Toyota tested blockchain for vehicle data tracking in 2023, per Toyota Blockchain Lab. Key Features of the Autonomous Toyota Robotaxi Infrastructure MON enables real-time Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication, optimizing routes and reducing congestion. Integration with traffic systems enhances safety. Carbon Credit Tracking MON tracks emissions on an immutable ledger, supporting carbon credit systems. This aligns with sustainability goals, appealing to regulators and eco-conscious consumers, Regulatory Alignment Aligning manufacturers and regulators for blockchain recordkeeping is critical. Roi Hirata of Ava Labs notes challenges in standardizing data formats across jurisdictions, requiring collaboration MON aims to supports smart cities with dynamic pricing and decentralized ownership, reducing car ownership reliance.
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