NASA Warns of Alarming Sinking Rates in Mexico City
Mexico City is sinking at an alarming rate, NASA issues stark warning
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Mexico City is experiencing alarming rates of subsidence due to excessive groundwater extraction, with parts sinking over 9.5 inches annually. NASA's findings highlight the urgent need for intervention as infrastructure suffers from the consequences of this geological crisis.
- 01Mexico City is sinking at rates exceeding 0.5 inches per month.
- 02Groundwater extraction from aquifers is the primary cause of subsidence.
- 03The city was built on a former lakebed, making it prone to sinking.
- 04Infrastructure, including the main airport, is severely affected.
- 05The process of ground compression is largely irreversible.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Mexico City is facing a critical issue of land subsidence, with recent findings from NASA indicating that parts of the city are sinking at alarming rates of more than 0.5 inches per month, translating to over 9.5 inches annually. This phenomenon is primarily attributed to excessive groundwater extraction from underground aquifers, exacerbated by urban expansion that adds weight to the clay-rich soil. The city's unique geography, situated on water-saturated sediments from the former Lake Texcoco, makes it particularly vulnerable to compaction. NASA's NISAR satellite imagery reveals that some sections of the city are sinking nearly 0.8 inches per month. The implications for infrastructure are severe, with reports of damaged rail systems, slanted buildings, and broken roadways. Notably, the Angel of Independence monument has required additional steps at its base to compensate for the sinking ground. Experts warn that once the ground compresses, the effects are largely irreversible, posing a long-term challenge for the city.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The sinking of Mexico City poses significant risks to infrastructure, affecting daily life and transportation, especially at critical locations like the Benito Juárez International Airport.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What should be prioritized to address the sinking issue in Mexico City?
Connecting to poll...
More about NASA
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.







