NASA/ISRO’s NISAR Satellite Pinpoints Extreme Subsidence in Mexico City Linked to Groundwater Pumping
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) announced that the NISAR satellite, a joint mission with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has precisely mapped extreme land subsidence in Mexico City. The satellite identified areas sinking by over half an inch (approximately 1.27 cm) per month, strongly indicating that excessive groundwater pumping is the primary driver of this phenomenon.
The NISAR mission utilizes advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology to observe surface changes on Earth with remarkable accuracy. In rapidly urbanizing areas like Mexico City, increased water demand due to population growth has led to a heavy reliance on groundwater resources, consequently causing severe land subsidence issues. The data collected provides critical insights for urban planning and water resource management strategies.
JPL is also advancing space exploration technologies, having recently conducted successful initial tests of a powerful lithium-fed thruster designed for future Mars missions. These dual advancements highlight NASA’s innovative efforts in both understanding our planet’s environment and expanding humanity’s reach into space.