Mexico City Sinking at Alarming Rate, NASA Reports

May 1, 2026

54 min

May 1, 2026 15:31

Why Mexico City is sinking nearly 10 inches a year, according to NASA

## Causes of Subsidence

Mexico City is experiencing significant land subsidence, sinking nearly 10 inches annually. This alarming rate is attributed to extensive groundwater extraction and urban expansion. The city, built on an ancient lake bed, has seen its aquifer shrink dramatically, exacerbating the issue.

## Impact on Infrastructure

The subsidence is causing visible tilting of historic structures, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, and damaging critical infrastructure, including the subway and water systems. The problem is severe enough to be observed from space, with some areas sinking at a rate of 0.78 inches per month.

## NASA's Role

NASA, in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organization, has been monitoring these changes using the NISAR satellite. This technology provides detailed insights into the subsidence, helping researchers understand the underlying causes and plan mitigation strategies.

## Future Implications

The data from NISAR is crucial for developing long-term solutions to the subsidence problem. It also has broader applications for monitoring natural disasters and climate change impacts globally. Efforts to address the issue are gaining momentum, with increased government funding for research.

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