Space geodetic imaging of rapid ground subsidence in Mexico City

Abstract

Since the late 1950s, several areas of Mexico City have undergone accelerated ground subsidence and have developed associated fracturing and faulting. New interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) and global positioning system (GPS) data indicate that rates of current land subsidence in Mexico City exceed 350 mm/yr. These rates are close to historical maximum levels of the mid-twentieth century, when mitigation efforts were fi rst undertaken to reduce damage to urban infrastructure. The locus of maximum subsidence has shifted from its historical location in the old city center to the east. Correlation of our InSAR results with seismically mapped stratigraphic units suggests that subsidence is primarily controlled by compaction of Quaternary lacustrine clays and silts. We also evaluate spatial gradients in subsidence and suggest that this, rather than subsidence magnitude, is the key factor in risk assessment. Subsidence represents a major geologic risk for Mexico City and imposes serious constraints to any further urban development.

Mexico City land subsidence in 2014–2015 with Sentinel-1 IW TOPS: Results using the Intermittent SBAS (ISBAS) technique

“…Mexico City has one of the highest subsidence rates ever recorded, with a maximum velocity of more than -35 cm/year observed in some sectors of its metropolitan area during the 1990s and 2000s (Strozzi et al, 2003;Cabral-Cano et al, 2008). This phenomenon was first observed in 1925, based upon observations from two precise levelling campaigns carried out in 1877and 1924(Figueroa Vega, 1976.…”

Drought-induced building damages from simulations at regional scale

“…It is important to note that there are various other causes for soil subsidence not related to shrinking and swelling of soils, which also have a large potential for economic damages (Cabral-Cano et al, 2008). These causes include land slides, depressions over underground cavities (Doornkamp, 1993) or the excess withdrawal of groundwater or other fluids (Basagaoglu et al, 1999;Stramondo et al, 2007).…”

Modelling the impact of land subsidence on urban pluvial flooding: A case study of downtown Shanghai, China

“…levelling surveys, GPS surveys, and InSAR technique) (e.g. Abidin 2005;Cabral-Cano et al 2008;Osmanoglu et al 2011;Yan et al 2012), and advances in high resolution flood modelling techniques (Sampson et al 2012) have enabled the numerical modelling of dynamic urban pluvial flood risks in the context of land subsidence.…”