Desk: Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, is slowly sinking into the ground. According to scientists, some parts of the city are sinking up to 2 centimeters every month. Now, NASA and the Indian Space Agency ISRO’s joint satellite mission, NISAR, is being used to monitor this threat. This satellite can detect even very small changes in the ground.
The central area of Mexico City has become the most visible example of this problem. Its famous cathedral has tilted to one side, while the adjacent church appears to be leaning to the other. The National Palace building also appears to be tilted. Scientists say the city has been sinking slowly for the past 100 years, but now the pace has increased.
According to NASA, the NISAR satellite found that some areas of Mexico City are sinking more than 2 cm per month. This is considered one of the fastest rates of land subsidence in the world. The city’s famous Angel of Independence monument is a prime example of this problem. The monument was built in 1910, but 14 new steps have had to be added beneath it due to the subsidence of the surrounding land.
According to experts, Mexico City sits atop an old lake. The soil here is very soft and clayey. Nearly half of the city’s water needs are met by groundwater. Continuous water extraction is causing the ground to shrink inward, causing the city to sink. NASA scientist Marin Govorchin explained that rainwater is not being returned to the ground as quickly as groundwater is being extracted. This is why the ground is constantly sinking.
The effects of the land subsidence are visible throughout the city. Roads are crumbling, buildings are tilting, and water pipelines are bursting. This is causing approximately 40% of the city’s water to be lost through leakage. The metro system is also being damaged. Low rainfall and a growing water crisis have further complicated the situation.
Experts say that if groundwater use isn’t reduced, many parts of the city could face severe water shortages in the future. Scientists hope that new information from the NISAR satellite will help better understand this problem and mitigate future risks.
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