NASA has released new information on the accelerated subsidence affecting various areas of Mexico City, a phenomenon linked to the excessive extraction of groundwater that is already causing visible damage to infrastructure, roads, and historical buildings.
The data was obtained through the NISAR mission, developed jointly by NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation, using high-precision radar technology to analyze changes in the terrain between October 25, 2025, and January 17, 2026.
According to the report, the Mexican capital faces this problem because the water extracted from deep aquifers exceeds the natural recharge capacity of the subsoil. This causes compaction of the earth’s layers and generates uneven subsidence in different regions of the city.
Satellite measurements identified areas where the ground is sinking by up to 2.5 centimeters per month, primarily in areas with high urban density and greater water demand.
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Which areas of Mexico City are experiencing the most significant subsidence?
One of the most affected areas is the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) zone, located in the Venustiano Carranza borough, where the soft ground has caused runway deformations, uneven surfaces, and damage to nearby structures.
The Cuauhtémoc borough is also among the areas monitored for the impact of differential subsidence, especially in the Historic Center, where iconic buildings show tilting and structural damage resulting from the constant movement of the subsoil.
“A landmark in the area, the Angel of Independence on Paseo de la Reforma, is a visible indicator of the subsidence. Built in 1910 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mexico’s independence, this imposing monument stands 36 meters tall, and 14 steps have been added to its base as the surrounding land gradually sinks,” NASA reports.
In the eastern part of the Valley of Mexico, boroughs like Iztapalapa and Tláhuac, as well as municipalities in the State of Mexico such as Nezahualcóyotl and Valle de Chalco, are experiencing some of the most severe damage related to cracks, fractures, and the risk of flooding.
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How does subsidence affect the capital’s infrastructure?
Specialists have warned that the phenomenon is already having direct consequences on the capital’s urban infrastructure. These include leaks in drinking water pipes, deformations in roads, and problems in the deep drainage system.
Subsidence also affects the functioning of the sewer system, since some areas have lost the natural slope necessary to drain water, a situation that increases the risk of flooding during the rainy season.
Furthermore, highways and bridges connecting the capital with municipalities in the east are experiencing constant deformation because the soil compacts at different rates over relatively short distances.
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Source: record
