Mexico City is sinking fast and it can’t be stopped

Mexico City is experiencing significant subsidence, with some areas sinking up to 50 centimeters per year. This is due to the depletion of aquifers beneath the city, which were once filled with water but have been heavily pumped over centuries. The sinking poses a threat to the city's drinking water supply, as most of it is sourced from these aquifers. The issue was first noted in 1900, and despite efforts to cap groundwater drilling in the 1950s, the problem persists due to the city's growing population and infrastructure.

What is the primary reason for Mexico City's rapid sinking?

• The city's location on a dry lake bed

• Frequent earthquakes

• Heavy rainfall

• Volcanic activity

What could be a major consequence if the sinking of Mexico City continues?

• Expansion of green spaces

• Improved air quality

• Contamination of drinking water

• Increased tourism

How much of Mexico City's drinking water is sourced from groundwater wells?

• Less than half

• More than three-quarters

• About one-quarter

• Almost all

When was the sinking of Mexico City first noticed?

• In the 1950s

• In 1900

• In the 1800s

• In 2000

What was the effect of capping groundwater drilling in the late 1950s?

• It had no effect

• It increased the rate of sinking

• It stopped the sinking completely

• It initially slowed the rate of subsidence