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Space geodetic imaging of rapid ground subsidence in Mexico City

Enrique Cabral-Cano^1,, Timothy H. Dixon², Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm³, Oscar Díaz-Molina⁴, Osvaldo Sánchez-Zamora⁵ and Richard E. Carande⁶

¹ Departamento de Geomagnetismo y Exploración, Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México D.F. 04510, Mexico
² Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149, USA
³ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University, 10555 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida 33174, USA
⁴ Departamento de Geomagnetismo y Exploración, Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional 10 Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México D.F. 04510, Mexico
⁵ Departamento de Sismología, Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México D.F. 04510, Mexico
⁶ Neva Ridge Technologies, 4750 Walnut Street, Suite 205, Boulder, Colorado 80301, USA

Correspondence: E-mail: ecabral{at}geofisica.unam.mx.

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 first 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.

Key Words: subsidence • interferometry • GPS • SAR • Mexico Basin

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