| Keyword | Description |
|---|---|
| Groundwater | Water reserves found under the ground. |
| Subsidence | The gradual sinking of land. |
| Geophysicist | Someone who studied the movement of the Earth and its effects. |
Mexico City is sinking faster than ever before! New satellite data from NASA shows that the city sinks about 10 inches (25 centimeters) each year. Over the last century, it has sunk nearly 40 feet. This information comes from a project called NISAR, which uses radar to look closely at changes on Earth.
One big reason for the sinking is that Mexico City used to be a lake. The city now uses water from underground aquifers, but not enough rain falls to refill them. The ground is sinking as the water disappears, causing problems like cracked roads, tilted buildings, and burst water pipes.
To help fix the problem, the government is trying to use less groundwater and repair water pipes. They are also finding new water sources. But these efforts are very expensive, costing billions of dollars. The subsidence may continue, making it hard to solve the problem completely.
People like Enrique Cabral, a geophysicist, say this is a big issue because it damages important things like the subway and water systems. Hopefully, these efforts will help slow down the sinking.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Aquifer | Acuífero |
| Satellite | Satélite |
| Climate | Clima |
Time to discuss
- Why is Mexico City sinking faster now than before?
- What are some problems caused by the land sinking?
- What solutions are being tried to stop the city from sinking?
Let’s Write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph
- How does the lack of rainfall affect Mexico City’s water supply?
- What do you think could happen if the city continues to sink?
