New data from NISAR shows where Mexico City and its environs subsided by up to a few centimeters per month (shown in blue) between Oct. 25, 2025, and Jan. 17, 2026. Uneven and seemingly small elevation changes have added up over the decades, fracturing roads, buildings and water lines. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/David Bekaert)
A radar-derived map reveals the extent of ground subsidence across Mexico City, where some areas are sinking at alarming rates. The visualization highlights uneven deformation caused primarily by groundwater extraction, offering a powerful look at how urban landscapes are changing through time.
The imagery, generated using advanced radar techniques, captures subtle vertical shifts in Earth’s surface that would otherwise go undetected. These patterns show how different parts of the city are compressing at varying rates, creating long-term challenges for infrastructure and planning.
Mexico City has long faced subsidence issues due to its location on a former lakebed, but recent satellite data underscores how the problem is accelerating. The combination of population growth and water demand continues to intensify pressure on underground aquifers.
As satellite monitoring becomes more precise, these types of visualizations are becoming essential tools for urban planners and engineers seeking to mitigate risk and better understand the dynamics of land movement.
