If someone owns a piece of land, do they own it all the way to the center of the earth?

Answer 1

According to real estate rights, whatever peice of property you have extends both ways. I am a realtor and we were taught that land ownership extends "downward to the center of the earth and upwards to infinity." There are 2 types of rights you have to your land, if it is in fact owned by you. First is called 'mineral rights': you would own the mineral rights below the surface. The second is called 'air rights': since ownership of land extends upward to infinity, you also own the air space above your land. And in certain cases you also have 'water rights" and they come in 2 different forms, but are seldom used unless you own waterfront property. Its not likely that you would use ALL of your land to such an extent, but I hope that answers your question! :)

Answer 2

It could depend on the nature of the deed. In some cases the deed could be for surface rights only while someone else could own the mineral rights which would allow them to tunnel under the surface.

As for going down to the center of the earth, no one has been able to test that idea since so far the deepest mine is 11,748 feet and the deepest well is 31,441 feet. So far no well has gotten below the earth's crust.

The mantle (below the crust) has a temperature of over 500 degrees C and while it mostly solid it can flow very slowly which is what drives plate tectonics (continental drift.) So it would be very difficult to exploit your rights to your property at that depth.

Answer 3

No one really owns the land, you just own the property on the land.

Where did this question come from?

Answer 4

Yes, unless they do not own the mineral rights-- which generally includes sand and gravel.

Answer 5

what? no they don't own it to the center of the earth. they're boundaries on theyre land...they're called acres.

Answer 6

Technically yes.

Answer 7

What?!

I'd say yes.