Mexico City is experiencing dramatic subsidence at rates among the fastest globally, according to newly released satellite data from NASA. The Mexican capital and its surrounding metropolitan area, which spans approximately 3,000 square miles and houses roughly 22 million residents, was constructed atop an ancient lake bed. The city has been sinking for over a century due to extensive groundwater extraction and urban development that have significantly depleted the underlying aquifer.
In certain locations, the subsidence occurs at an average rate of 0.78 inches monthly, with the overall yearly rate reaching approximately 9.5 inches. Some areas near the main airport and the Angel of Independence monument show particularly rapid rates. Over the course of less than a century, the cumulative drop has exceeded 39 feet, according to researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
The subsidence is causing widespread damage to Mexico City’s infrastructure, including its subway system, drainage networks, potable water systems, housing, and streets. The shrinking aquifer has contributed to an ongoing water crisis that researchers anticipate will intensify. Historic structures including the Metropolitan Cathedral, whose construction commenced in 1573, have become visibly tilted as a result of the sinking.
The new measurements come from NISAR, a powerful satellite operated jointly by NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization, which tracked changes on Earth’s surface between October 2025 and January 2026. Scientists indicate the technology provides unprecedented documentation of subsidence at the citywide scale and may eventually enable building-by-building measurements. Researchers hope to apply this satellite technology globally to monitor natural disasters, fault line changes, and climate-related effects.
Mexico City’s government has historically given limited attention to subsidence beyond stabilizing foundations of major monuments. However, following recent intensification of the water crisis, officials have begun funding increased research into the problem. Scientists indicate that understanding the subsidence mechanism represents an essential first step toward developing long-term mitigation strategies.
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