Mexico City, one of the world’s largest metropolitan regions, is sinking at an alarming pace, according to fresh satellite data released by NASA. Scientists say parts of the Mexican capital are subsiding by nearly 10 inches annually, raising fears about severe damage to infrastructure, water systems, and residential areas in the coming decades.
The warning comes after observations made by the NISAR satellite mission, a joint project between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation, captured highly detailed radar imagery of the city between October 2025 and January 2026. The satellite tracked ground deformation across the city and found that several areas were sinking by more than half an inch every month.
Experts attribute the rapid sinking primarily to excessive extraction of groundwater from underground aquifers beneath the city. Mexico City was constructed on the site of the ancient Lake Texcoco, leaving much of the region built atop soft, clay-rich lakebed sediments. As water is pumped out to meet the needs of the city’s nearly 22 million residents, the soil compresses and collapses, causing the land above to sink gradually.
Researchers said the problem has existed for more than a century, but new satellite technology is now offering an unprecedented view of the scale and speed of the crisis. Scientists noted that the sinking is not uniform across the city, with some districts experiencing much faster subsidence than others. This uneven land movement, known as differential subsidence, is particularly dangerous because it can crack roads, tilt buildings, rupture pipelines, and destabilise transportation networks.
The city’s main airport and landmarks such as the Angel of Independence monument are among the structures most affected by the gradual collapse. Reports indicate that the monument has required several additional steps at its base over the years due to the steadily lowering ground level. Historic buildings, including centuries-old churches and colonial-era structures, are also visibly leaning because of the ongoing subsidence.
Scientists warned that the sinking crisis is closely linked to a worsening water emergency in the city. Around half to 60% of Mexico City’s water supply comes from underground aquifers, but over-pumping has depleted these reserves significantly. At the same time, damaged pipelines caused by the sinking ground are resulting in massive water leakage across the city. Some estimates suggest that nearly 40% of water is lost through broken infrastructure before it even reaches households.
Environmental experts believe climate change and prolonged periods of low rainfall are further intensifying the crisis. Many researchers fear the city could eventually face severe shortages if groundwater extraction continues unchecked. Social media discussions and online forums have also reflected growing concern among residents and observers, with many describing the situation as a long-term urban disaster unfolding in slow motion.
NASA officials said the NISAR mission would continue monitoring Mexico City and other vulnerable regions around the world. Scientists hope that the real-time tracking system will help governments better understand land movement patterns and develop strategies to reduce the risks posed by subsidence and water depletion.
