NASA-ISRO Mission Maps Significant Subsidence in Mexico City, Impacting Infrastructure
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission has revealed significant subsidence in Mexico City, with parts of the city sinking by more than half an inch per month. This subsidence is primarily due to extensive groundwater pumping and the weight of urban development on the ancient lakebed beneath the city. The NISAR satellite, launched in July 2025, is equipped with advanced radar technology that allows it to track subtle ground movements, even in challenging conditions such as dense vegetation or cloud cover. The data collected between October 2025 and January 2026 highlights areas of rapid subsidence, which have been a concern since the issue was first documented in 1925. The subsidence has caused damage to infrastructure, including roads, buildings, and the city's Metro system.