NASA’s NISAR satellite tracks subsidence in Mexico City in near real-time, revealing fast-sinking zones driven by groundwater pumping and urban expansion. This page answers the most common questions readers have about the findings, what areas are sinking fastest, why it matters for infrastructure, and how cities can respond to subsidence risks now and in the future.
NISAR data indicates rapid subsidence in central parts of Mexico City, with sinking rates reaching up to about 0.78 inches per month (roughly 9.5 inches per year). The measurements, collected from space, help scientists map where the ground is dropping and at what pace, enabling more precise risk assessments for infrastructure and housing.
Fastest sinking regions include critical sites like the main airport and central urban corridors. The rapid subsidence is largely driven by groundwater pumping and ongoing urban growth on a soft lake-bed substrate. Understanding where sinking is deepest helps planners reinforce or redesign infrastructure—runways, roads, utilities—to mitigate damage and ensure safety.
Mitigation focuses on reducing groundwater extraction, improving water management, and adopting land-use planning that avoids placing heavy infrastructure on highly subsiding zones. Engineering solutions, such as ground stabilization, managed aquifer recharge, and tailored drainage plans, can help protect critical sites like airports while supporting resilient urban growth.
Yes. Subidence reshapes risk profiles for infrastructure, housing, and transportation networks. For Mexico City and other major cities, incorporating subsidence data into planning improves resilience to climate-related stressors, informs zoning decisions, and guides investment in water security and infrastructure upgrades that prevent future failure or costly retrofits.
NISAR provides broad, near-real-time ground movement data from space, which researchers corroborate with local sensors, surveys, and engineering assessments. This combined approach gives a more accurate map of subsidence patterns and helps authorities target interventions where they’re most needed.
Residents in sinking zones may experience changes to building foundations, drainage, and roads over time. Planning authorities typically issue guidance on building practices, monitoring programs, and potential relocation or retrofitting needs to ensure safety and protect property values.
Mexico City is sinking nearly 10 inches every year, making it one of the world’s fastest-sinking metropolitan areas
Ukraine accused Russia of violating a ceasefire initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at midnight on Wednesday, with officials reporting one person killed and three wounded in frontline areas in the north and east of the country.