This week, Chris examines claims by Microsoft researchers to be building a fault-tolerant quantum computer chip using obscure physics, and why many are sceptical of it; and Linden speaks to tephrochronologist Saini Samim about using crystals in ancient volcanic ash to determine the age of fossils. Microsoft press release, https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/quantum/2025/02/19/microsoft-unveils-majorana-1-the-worlds-first-quantum-processor-powered-by-topological-qubits/ Microsoft Azure Quantum., Aghaee, M., Alcaraz Ramirez, A. et al. Interferometric single-shot parity measurement in InAs–Al hybrid devices. Nature 638, 651–655 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08445-2