Mexico City's future

Parts of Mexico City are sinking two centimeters every month

Mexico's capital, Mexico City, is sinking. It has been a known fact for 100 years, and now, with the help of a new radar satellite, NASA can confirm that some areas are sinking as much as two centimeters every month, or 25 centimeters a year. This is shown by preliminary figures published by the US space agency.

The city is built on top of an aquifer – a type of natural groundwater reservoir – and the effect is, according to the AP, a combination of water withdrawal and the weight of the buildings. Over the years, this has caused damage to the metro system, among other things.

It is also affecting the cityscape in such a way that some buildings are clearly leaning and windows have sunk to ground level.

Pictures show: International airport is in a vulnerable area

Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport is located in one of the worst-affected areas of the rapidly sinking city, according to the US space agency NASA after a powerful space satellite was able to capture changes on the Earth's surface.

The famous monument El Ángel de la Independencia, the Angel of Independence in Swedish, is also greatly affected. As the city has sunk, the 36-meter-high statue has been given new steps to stabilize its base, writes AP.

The radar satellite was sent into space in 2025 and is more powerful than the satellites on which previous analyses were based. For example, it is not affected by clouds.

“We will see new discoveries from all over the world,” says project manager David Bekaert.