  In the shell-model framework, valence-space Hamiltonians connecting multiple
major-oscillator shells are of key interest for investigating the physics of
neutron-rich nuclei, which have been the subject of intense experimental
activity for decades. Here we present an extension of the ab initio
valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group which allows the
derivation of such Hamiltonians nonperturbatively. Starting from initial two-
and three-nucleon forces from chiral effective field theory, we then calculate
properties of nuclei in the important island-of-inversion region above oxygen,
so far unexplored with ab initio methods. Our results in the neon and magnesium
isotopes indicate the importance of neutron excitation from the $sd$ to $pf$
shells and ground states dominated by intruder configurations around $N=20$,
consistent with the conclusions from phenomenological studies. We also
benchmark the excitation spectrum of $^{16}$O with coupled-cluster theory,
finding generally good agreement, and discuss implications for ground state
energies and charge radii in oxygen and calcium isotopes. Finally we outline
the proper procedure for treating the long-standing issue of center-of-mass
contamination, and show that with a particular choice of valence space, these
spurious states can be removed successfully.
