NASA Satellite Reveals Mexico City's Rapid Subsidence Mexico City is sinking at an alarming rate of nearly 10 inches per year, according to new satellite data released by NASA, making it one of the fastest-subsiding metropolitan areas globally. The findings, based on measurements collected between October 2025 and January 2026 by the NISAR satellite—a joint project between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization—highlight the severe consequences of decades of groundwater extraction and urban expansion. The city, built atop the remnants of an ancient lake bed, has experienced a cumulative drop of over 39 feet in less than a century, with some areas sinking at a rate of 0.78 inches per month. The subsidence has left visible signs of structural damage, including tilted monuments and historic buildings. The Angel of Independence, a iconic landmark, has required 14 additional steps at its base to accommodate the sinking ground. Similarly, the Metropolitan Cathedral, whose construction began in 1573, now leans noticeably due to the shrinking aquifer beneath it. The problem has worsened over time as extensive groundwater pumping to support the city’s 22 million residents has depleted the underground water reserves, causing the land to compact and sink. The satellite data reveals that the city’s subsidence is not uniform. Areas such as the main airport and the Angel of Independence monument are among the most affected, with some regions sinking at rates exceeding half an inch per month. According to Enrique Cabral, a geophysics researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the city’s subsidence rate of 9.5 inches annually places it among the fastest-sinking urban centers worldwide.#nasa #mexico_city #nisar #national_autonomous_university_of_mexico #angel_of_independence
