Mexico City, a sprawling metropolis home to approximately 20 million people, is experiencing an alarming rate of subsidence, sinking faster than previously understood. For the first time, NASA is observing this phenomenon from space using one of the most powerful radar systems ever launched, the NISAR satellite.
NISAR Satellite Reveals Accelerated Sinking
The NISAR satellite, a joint venture between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has been mapping ground movement and has identified significant subsidence across various parts of the city. Preliminary measurements taken between October 2025 and January 2026, during Mexico City’s dry season, show that some areas are sinking by more than 1.2 centimeters per month.
David Bekaert, project manager at the Flemish Institute for Technological Research and a member of the NISAR scientific team, stated, “Mexico City is a known hot spot when it comes to subsidence, and images like this are just the beginning for NISAR.” He added, “The results demonstrate how quickly and reliably the NISAR satellite can track real-time changes in the Earth’s surface from orbit, without the limitations of clouds or vegetation that hinder the operation of optical sensors and high-frequency radars.”
The NISAR mission, launched in July 2025, aims to advance previous generations of space-based radar monitoring efforts in Mexico City.
Areas Most Affected and Visual Indicators
The new analysis highlights specific regions within Mexico City that are experiencing subsidence exceeding 2 centimeters per month, depicted in dark blue on the satellite’s maps. While yellow and red areas are likely residual noise that is expected to diminish with more data collection, the initial findings are stark.
A notable landmark, the Ángel de la Independencia (Angel of Independence) on Paseo de la Reforma, serves as a visible testament to the ongoing ground subsidence. Constructed in 1910 to commemorate 100 years of independence, the 36-meter-tall monument has required the addition of 14 steps to its base as the surrounding ground gradually sinks.
The Benito Juárez International Airport is also a key feature in the imagery, with Lake Nabor Carrillo visible as a dark green rectangle to the northeast, providing context to the affected region.
The Underlying Causes of Subsidence
The primary reason for Mexico City’s rapid sinking is its unique geological foundation. The metropolitan area is built upon an aquifer, and extensive groundwater pumping, coupled with the immense weight of urban development, has led to the compaction of the ancient lakebed beneath the city for over a century.
An engineer first documented this issue in 1925. By the 1990s and 2000s, some parts of the metropolitan area were sinking by approximately 35 centimeters annually, causing significant damage to critical infrastructure, including the Metro system.
The ongoing monitoring by NISAR is expected to provide crucial data for understanding and potentially mitigating the long-term effects of this persistent geological challenge facing Mexico City.
Source: https://www.jornada.com.mx/noticia/2026/04/30/capital/cdmx-se-hunde-mas-rapido-de-lo-que-se-creia-hasta-12-cm-al-mes-nasa
