Mexico City is sinking by nearly 25 centimetres (10 inches) annually, making it one of the world's fastest-subsiding major cities, according to new NASA satellite imagery. The city, home to 22 million people, was built on an ancient lake bed, and its subsidence is exacerbated by the relentless pumping of groundwater and extensive urban development.
Infrastructure at Risk
This sinking has caused historic monuments like the Metropolitan Cathedral to tilt and severely damages critical infrastructure, including the subway, drainage, and water systems. Engineers have long warned that the gradual descent could lead to catastrophic failures if not addressed.
NASA's Role in Monitoring
NASA's NISAR satellite, a joint initiative with the Indian Space Research Organisation, is providing real-time data on the Earth's surface changes, allowing scientists to track the subsidence from space. Researchers hope this advanced technology will help officials better understand the problem and plan long-term mitigation strategies, as previous government efforts largely ignored the issue.
The satellite's precise measurements offer unprecedented detail, showing variations in sinking rates across different neighbourhoods. Some areas are dropping faster than others, depending on local geology and water extraction patterns.
Without intervention, the city's infrastructure could face increasing strain, potentially leading to more frequent water main breaks, road cracks, and building collapses. The new data from NASA could be a turning point in convincing authorities to take action.
