The NISAR satellite, developed by NASA and the Indian space agency ISRO, is recording with unprecedented precision the progressive subsidence of the ground in Mexico City. Between October 2025 and January 2026, some areas sank more than 2 centimeters per month, confirming the acceleration of the phenomenon in high-risk urban areas.
The new technology allows for near real-time monitoring of these changes, providing key information for urban planning and mitigation strategies in one of the world’s largest cities.
Causes of Subsidence
The phenomenon is mainly associated with:
- Overexploitation of aquifers: excessive extraction of groundwater compacts the soil.
- Lacustrine terrain: the city was built on sediments of an ancient lake.
- Urban load: the weight of buildings and infrastructure accelerates compaction.
- Intensive urbanization: asphalt and concrete prevent the natural recharge of aquifers.
According to experts from UNAM, these conditions exacerbate problems such as flooding, cracks in buildings, and damage to pipelines.
A Global Subsidence Crisis
The subsidence of cities is a global problem advancing faster than sea level rise in several regions. Notable cases:
- Jakarta (Indonesia): parts of the city have sunk more than 4 meters in 25 years.
- Bangkok, Kolkata, and Ho Chi Minh: exhibit high subsidence rates due to water extraction.
- Mexico City: areas like Iztapalapa and Cuauhtémoc are among the most affected.
- USA: cities on the east coast also face subsidence affecting thousands of buildings.
Impacts and Consequences
- Chronic flooding: increased vulnerability to heavy rains and storm surges.
- Structural damage: cracks in homes, pipelines, and foundations.
- Population displacement: entire neighborhoods lose elevation and require relocation.
- High economic costs: repairs and loss of critical infrastructure.
Solutions and Adaptation
Experts propose urgent measures:
- Sustainable water management: limit aquifer pumping and seek alternative sources.
- Protective infrastructure: dikes, tidal barriers, and improved drainage systems.
- Urban planning: restrict heavy construction in high-risk areas.
Climate change exacerbates the problem by raising sea levels, but ground subsidence is, in many cases, the most urgent factor to manage.
NASA’s satellite monitoring confirms that Mexico City’s subsidence is an accelerated and critical phenomenon. NISAR’s information opens an opportunity to design more effective policies, but the solution depends on sustainable water management and urban planning adapted to a ground that continues to give way beneath the city.
