Nasa-Isro's Nisar reveals mexico city is sinking, satellite confirms alarming pace
A new analysis from the joint Nasa-Isro NISAR satellite shows parts of Mexico City sinking by more than 2 centimetres a month. The findings underline the scale of land subsidence and the pressure on sustainable water management.
A new satellite analysis from the joint Nasa-Isro mission has confirmed what scientists have long warned: large parts of Mexico City are steadily sinking, and in some places, at a striking rate.
Using data from the Nisar satellite collected between October 2025 and January 2026, researchers have mapped land subsidence across the sprawling metropolis.
The results show that certain areas are sinking by more than 2 centimetres per month, highlighted in dark blue on the satellite imagery.
The primary cause is groundwater extraction. As water is pumped out from beneath the city, the ancient lakebed, once part of a vast system of lakes, compacts and collapses. Mexico City was built on the remains of these lakes, making it especially vulnerable to subsidence.
The satellite imagery also captures key geographical and historical features. To the northeast lies Nabor Carrillo, an artificial lake built over the remnants of Lake Texcoco. To the south is Chalco Lake, a wetland area tied to a once-fertile region that was gradually drained over centuries to control flooding.
These ecosystems are reminders of the city’s watery past, and its ongoing struggle with unstable ground.
Even iconic landmarks are affected. The Angel of Independence, built in 1910 to mark 100 years of independence, has had 14 steps added over time as the surrounding land sank.
The monument, now over 30 metres tall, stands as a visible record of the city’s gradual descent.
The Nisar mission, launched in 2025, is the first satellite to carry two different radar systems, an L-band instrument from Nasa and an S-band instrument developed by Isro’s Space Applications Centre. These radars allow scientists to detect subtle changes in Earth’s surface, even through dense vegetation.
Beyond tracking subsidence, Nisar is expected to transform how scientists monitor the planet. Its ability to provide rapid, global coverage will help in studying earthquakes, glacier movement, forest changes, and agricultural patterns.
It will also play a crucial role in disaster response, offering before-and-after data to assess damage quickly.
While Mexico City’s sinking problem is not new, the precision and clarity of Nisar’s data mark a significant step forward.
The findings not only confirm the scale of the issue but also highlight the urgent need for sustainable water management in one of the world’s largest cities.
A new satellite analysis from the joint Nasa-Isro mission has confirmed what scientists have long warned: large parts of Mexico City are steadily sinking, and in some places, at a striking rate.
Using data from the Nisar satellite collected between October 2025 and January 2026, researchers have mapped land subsidence across the sprawling metropolis.
The results show that certain areas are sinking by more than 2 centimetres per month, highlighted in dark blue on the satellite imagery.
The primary cause is groundwater extraction. As water is pumped out from beneath the city, the ancient lakebed, once part of a vast system of lakes, compacts and collapses. Mexico City was built on the remains of these lakes, making it especially vulnerable to subsidence.
The satellite imagery also captures key geographical and historical features. To the northeast lies Nabor Carrillo, an artificial lake built over the remnants of Lake Texcoco. To the south is Chalco Lake, a wetland area tied to a once-fertile region that was gradually drained over centuries to control flooding.
These ecosystems are reminders of the city’s watery past, and its ongoing struggle with unstable ground.
Even iconic landmarks are affected. The Angel of Independence, built in 1910 to mark 100 years of independence, has had 14 steps added over time as the surrounding land sank.
The monument, now over 30 metres tall, stands as a visible record of the city’s gradual descent.
The Nisar mission, launched in 2025, is the first satellite to carry two different radar systems, an L-band instrument from Nasa and an S-band instrument developed by Isro’s Space Applications Centre. These radars allow scientists to detect subtle changes in Earth’s surface, even through dense vegetation.
Beyond tracking subsidence, Nisar is expected to transform how scientists monitor the planet. Its ability to provide rapid, global coverage will help in studying earthquakes, glacier movement, forest changes, and agricultural patterns.
It will also play a crucial role in disaster response, offering before-and-after data to assess damage quickly.
While Mexico City’s sinking problem is not new, the precision and clarity of Nisar’s data mark a significant step forward.
The findings not only confirm the scale of the issue but also highlight the urgent need for sustainable water management in one of the world’s largest cities.
