Saudi Arabia to double height of world’s tallest tower

Plus: Scientists say Tonga eruption hit with the force of a billion ton ‘magma hammer.’ Dec 16, 2022 [Blueprint]( [Saudi Arabia is reaching new heights]( when it comes to very tall buildings, that is. The tallest tower in the world is currently the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which stands at 828 meters (2,716 feet) tall. Now this one, in Riyadh, is set to more than double that. Saudi Arabia is reportedly planning a 2 kilometer (6,5621 foot) tall tower for its new 18-square-kilometer (5,9055 square foot) master-planned area in the capital. But before you gawp at that, take a long hard look at this. [This video]( shows a 17-year-old’s new synchronous reluctance motor, which outperforms traditional designs. Good, eh? Good morning. I’m Alice, an Editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s get started. [Earth’s 'peculiar' magnetic field is proof of how our solar system came to be](. [premium] An unusual property of Earth’s magnetic field could help us to work out how our planet formed some 4.5 billion years ago. [Play]VIDEO OF THE DAY [A 17-year-old’s new synchronous reluctance motor outperforms traditional designs.]( [A 17-year-old’s new synchronous reluctance motor outperforms traditional designs.]( It doesn’t look that reluctant to me. [Must Read]MUST READ [Saudi Arabia plans world’s tallest tower, more than double the size of Burj Khalifa.]( [Saudi Arabia plans world’s tallest tower, more than double the size of Burj Khalifa.]( Saudi Arabia is reportedly planning a [2 kilometer (6,5621 foot) tall tower]( for its new 18-square-kilometer (5, 9055 square foot) master-planned area in its capital city, Riyadh. The proposed skyscraper would be the tallest in the world, and over twice as tall as the current record holder, Dubai's Burj Khalifa, which stands at 828 meters (2,761 feet.) It could cost about $5bn to construct, according to reports, which also said that a design competition with a participation fee of $1m is underway. Around eight companies have been asked to compete for the project. The architectural companies were chosen for the project “based on their previous work on iconic structures and mega tall towers around the globe.” → The 1,008-meter (3,307 foot) Jeddah Tower Scheme is another substantial tower slated for Saudi Arabia. About ten years ago, work on the tower's construction got started, but it eventually came to a standstill after about 70 storeys had been constructed. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [Facebook]( [SCIENCE]SCIENCE [Scientists say Tonga eruption hit with the force of a billion ton ‘magma hammer.’]( On the scale of things you don’t really want to be hit by, a [billion ton magma hammer]( has to be right up there. Yet that’s what scientists have said the force of the January 15 eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano was comparable to. This week, scientists from around the world are meeting in Chicago at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) for their Fall Meeting. There, they will share the results of research into the massive eruption, which countries from across the globe are now studying. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [INNOVATION]INNOVATION [A meat company is building the world's largest facility in the US.]( Israeli-based company [Believer Meats has started constructing its first U.S. commercial facility]( in North Carolina. The company’s new unit will be the biggest and largest cultivated production facility in the U.S., covering a site of 200,000-square-foot (18580,608 m2). Believer Meats is one of the largest companies in the lab-grown meat market, which it produces using non-GMO animal cells. Because of Eastern North Carolina’s success in integrating technology-driven solutions, the company said it investigated several well-established manufacturing corridors in the region before settling on this one. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [HEALTH]HEALTH [The story of the man who took over 40,000 ecstasy pills over nine years.]( In April 2006, doctors from London University in the U.K. [published a case study]( of what they believed to be the largest amount of ecstasy ever consumed by a single person. It was the case report of a British man they called Mr. A, who is estimated to have taken around 40,000 pills of MDMA over nine years, which is the most amount anyone is known to have taken. They reported that the man then suffered from prominent physical and mental health side effects, including extreme memory problems, paranoia, hallucinations and depression, as well as painful muscle rigidity around his neck and jaw, which often prevented him from opening his mouth. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [MAIL & MUSINGS]MAIL & MUSINGS Saudi Arabia plans world’s tallest tower, more than double the size of Burj Khalifa. Do you think towers will get much taller than this? [Yes, there’s no limit]( [No, it would be unsafe]( [Possibly, but surely not much more]( [I am unsure either way]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday, we asked you how long do you think it will be until we all have optical computers in our homes, and 69 percent of you said within the next decade. 69% Within the next decade 15% I’m not sure we ever will 11% Not in our lifetime 5% Imminently [QUOTE OF THE DAY]QUOTE OF THE DAY “Tall buildings are beautiful, but they are also very dangerous.” Donald Trump. [10 unique Christmas gifts for your favorite teachers.]( [THINGS WE LOVE]THINGS WE LOVE [image]( [Roku Media Streamer]( [image]( [LaCie External Hard Drive]( [image]( [Teas of Boston Tea Party]( [image]( [LUWATT Heated Gloves]( [AND ANOTHER THING]AND ANOTHER THING - UK rocket startup is on a mission to [make satellite launches sustainable](. [premium] - NASA’s [Juno spacecraft’s mission]( has lasted longer than expected. (Science News) - China claims repurposed ski-jump technology test helped launch [spacecraft seven times the speed of sound](. - Your [gut bacteria may influence]( how motivated you are to exercise. (New Scientist) - Scientists accomplish '[evolution on demand]( by creating shape-shifting turtle robot. [premium] - NASA is readying to send [humans back to the Moon](. (SN Explores) - A [revolutionary shock-absorption material]( that can stop supersonic impacts. [Subscribe to IE+ today.]( Prepared by Alice Cooke Enjoy Reading? Forward this email to a friend. 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