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The soil underneath Mexico City is very soft, which causes the buildings to sink. To prevent the city from sinking, engineers have to constantly pump water out of the ground.
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The Problem
Mexico City is slowly sinking. It is a problem that has been caused by a variety of factors and it is a problem that is not going to be easy to solve. The city is slowly sinking because of the way that it was built, the way that it is being used, and the changing climate.
Mexico City is sinking
Mexico City is a megacity built on a dried-out lake bed, which means that it’s vulnerable to sinking — and, according to new research, it’s sinking even faster than we thought.
A study published in Science Advances this week found that Mexico City is sinking up to 10 times faster than other cities in the region, at a rate of about 50 centimeters (20 inches) per century. And it’s not just Mexico City: the entire Valley of Mexico, which includes the capital and its suburbs, is sinking.
The problem is caused by a combination of factors: groundwater pumping, which causes the soil to compact; natural geologic processes; and the weight of all the concrete and asphalt in the city. The result is that Mexico City isn’t just sinking — it’s also becoming increasingly vulnerable to flooding.
In 2017, for instance, torrential rains caused by Hurricane Harvey led to widespread flooding in Mexico City. And as climate change causes more extreme weather events, the risk will only increase.
So what can be done? The study’s authors say that better management of water resources is key, as is reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change. But they also caution that it may be too late for Mexico City to completely stop its sinking — meaning that adaptation will be key in the coming years.
The city is built on a lake
Mexico City is built on a lake. This may seem like a good thing, as it provides a natural source of fresh water. However, it also means that the city is constantly sinking.
The problem is caused by a combination of factors. The main one is that the city has been built on soft clay, which is unable to support the weight of the buildings. This is made worse by the fact that the water in the lake is constantly being pumped out for use by the city’s inhabitants.
Mexico City has been trying to combat this problem for many years, but it is proving to be difficult. One solution that has been proposed is to build a series of artificial islands around the city, which would act as support for the buildings. However, this is a very expensive solution and it is not clear whether it would be effective in the long term.
The problem of sinking buildings is not unique to Mexico City. Many other cities around the world are also built on soft clay or sand, and are therefore at risk of sinking. This includes cities such as Tokyo, Jakarta and Manila.
The problem is getting worse
While the sinking of Mexico City is not a new phenomenon, it is one that is becoming increasingly worse. The problem is largely due to the city’s location, as it sits atop a soft, porous clay layer. This layer acts like a sponge, and over time, the weight of the city has caused it to compress and sink.
The other major factor contributing to the problem is the depletion of groundwater. Mexico City is situated in a valley, and as such, its water supply comes from underground aquifers. However, these aquifers are being depleted at an alarming rate due to the growing population and their demand for water. This has led to a decrease in the amount of water available to support the city’s buildings, causing them to sink even further.
The problem of sinking buildings is compounded by the fact that many of Mexico City’s structures are not built to withstand the pressure of compression. This has led to a number of collapses, most notably in 2017 when a school building crumbled, killing 11 people.
The Mexican government has been working on a number of projects designed to stop the city from sinking further. These include plans to improve drainage and reduce groundwater extraction. However, with the problem becoming increasingly worse, it is clear that more needs to be done if Mexico City is to be saved from sinking into oblivion.
The Solution
Mexico City is sinking at an alarming rate. In the last century, the city has sunk more than nine meters. If measures are not taken, the city could sink as much as another two meters by the end of this century. There are a few things that can be done to stop the city from sinking.
The city needs to stop pumping water from the aquifers
Mexico City is sinking because it is pumping water out of the aquifers beneath it faster than they can naturally be replenished. The city has been doing this for years in order to meet the needs of its rapidly growing population.
The aquifers are not the only reason Mexico City is sinking. The city is also built on soft soils that are prone to compaction. When the aquifers are depleted, the soft soils compact even further, causing the city to sink.
There are a few things Mexico City can do to stop its sinking. First, it can stop pumping water out of the aquifers. Second, it can build structures that will help support the soft soils and prevent them from compacting further. And third, it can try to replenish the aquifers by injecting water back into them.
The city needs to build more dams
Dams can Store Excess Water during the Wet Season
During the wet season, Mexico City experiences a lot of rainfall. This rainfall can cause problems for the city because it can lead to flooding. One way to prevent this from happening is to build dams. Dams can store excess water during the wet season and then release it during the dry season. This will help to regulate the water levels in the city and prevent flooding.
Dams Can Be Used to Recharge the Water Table
Another way that dams can help Mexico City is by recharging the water table. When it rains, the water that falls on the ground seeps into the ground and recharges the water table. However, Mexico City has a lot of concrete and asphalt. This prevents the rainwater from seeping into the ground and recharging the water table. As a result, the water table has been declining at a rate of 0.5 meters per year. One way to prevent this from happening is to build dams. The dams will collect rainwater and then release it into the ground, which will help to recharge the water table.
Dams Will Help to Prevent Soil Erosion
Soil erosion is a major problem in Mexico City. It is estimated that each year, 1 million tons of soil are eroded from Mexico City. This soil erosion is caused by heavy rains and floods. It can cause damage to buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. It can also lead to landslides. One way to prevent soil erosion is to build dams. The dams will help to hold back floodwaters and prevent them from damaging infrastructure or causing landslides
The city needs to build a better drainage system
Mexico City is sinking at a alarming rate. In some areas, the city has sunk more than 30 feet since it was founded in 1325. If the city doesn’t do something to stop the sinking, large parts of it could be underwater by 2050.
The main reason Mexico City is sinking is because it doesn’t have a good drainage system. When it rains, the water just sits on the ground and seeps down into the soft clay beneath the city. This process is called “subsidence.”
To stop the city from sinking, experts say that Mexico City needs to build a better drainage system. This will help to keep the water from seeping into the ground and will also help to prevent flooding. The city also needs to stop building on top of unstable land and should instead build on solid ground.
If Mexico City doesn’t take action soon, it could be facing a major disaster. But if it does take action, it can still prevent itself from sinking and ensure a bright future for its citizens.
