Source link : https://las-vegas-news.com/nasa-maps-mexico-citys-rapid-ground-sinking/
Up to 2cm a month: Nasa keeps track as Mexico City sinks into the ground – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pexels)
Mexico City faces an accelerating challenge beneath its streets and buildings. Fresh measurements from a joint NASA and Indian Space Research Organisation satellite now capture the pace of change with unprecedented clarity. The data arrives at a moment when water shortages and infrastructure strain already test the metropolis of more than 20 million residents.
Why the latest readings stand out
The NISAR satellite, launched in July 2025, collected observations between late October 2025 and mid-January 2026. In several districts the ground dropped by as much as two centimetres each month. That pace translates to roughly 25 centimetres over a full year in the fastest-moving zones, including areas near the international airport and the Angel of Independence monument.
Earlier satellite missions had documented the same general trend, yet the new instrument delivers sharper detail across the entire urban footprint. Its L-band radar penetrates clouds, vegetation and darkness, allowing consistent tracking even during the dry season when groundwater extraction peaks.
The geological setting that drives the movement
The city rests on the compacted sediments of an ancient lake bed. Centuries of drainage and, more recently, intensive pumping of underground water have removed the fluid that once supported the clay-rich soils. Without that support the…
—-
Author : Matthias Binder
Publish date : 2026-05-07 16:40:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
—-
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8