Final answer:
Mexico City's buildings are tilting due to the process of subsidence caused by the extraction of water from underlying aquifers. This has led to structural damages and issues that necessitate sustainable water management to prevent further sinking of the city.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sinking of Mexico City is attributed to the process known as subsidence, which occurs when the ground collapses or sinks due to the removal of underground water from aquifers. This phenomenon has resulted in structural damage to historic buildings and tilting infrastructures due to uneven land settling. The Aztecs had initially built Tenochtitlan, the precursor to modern-day Mexico City, on an intricate system of canals, but the city has expanded over unstable, drained lake beds prone to subsidence.
To supply its massive population, the city requires a significant amount of fresh water, which is mostly pumped from underground aquifers. However, this excessive extraction impacts the stability of the land, leading to further sinking in the region. Addressing this challenge requires sustainable management of water resources to mitigate the ongoing subsidence and prevent further damage to the city's infrastructure.