Mexico City is sinking by nearly a foot every year: new study
New York Post • • world
Key Points:
- Mexico City is sinking at an alarming rate of nearly 10 inches per year, making it one of the fastest-sinking cities globally, as confirmed by NASA satellite data.
- The subsidence threatens critical infrastructure such as the subway, drainage, potable water systems, housing, and streets, with some areas having sunk over 127 feet historically.
- The city's foundation on an ancient lake bed and extensive groundwater pumping have caused significant aquifer depletion, accelerating the sinking process over the past century.
- New satellite technology, NISAR, has enabled researchers to monitor ground movement every 12 days, revealing detailed subsidence patterns including key locations like the central airport and Angel of Independence monument.
- Experts warn that beyond structural damage, the shrinking aquifer poses a risk of severe water shortages, and future studies aim to assess subsidence on a building-by-building basis to inform mitigation efforts.
