If you own a plot of land do you own it right down to the core of the earth?

Answer 1

Alex, you absolutely do. But here's the rub: Let's say you own an acre, 43,560 square feet. For simplicity sake lets say it has square sides - 208.71 feet. As you go deeper the sides of your plot of land get smaller. When you've gone down 2,000 miles (about half way to the center) your plot is now only 1/4th its original size. Think about it. You've gone from a nice one acre lot with blue sky,green grass and a few trees to a measly quarter acre full of hot rocks - just like a Tucson development lot in July.

When you go the rest of the way you have nothing left to show for your digging efforts. Hell, (excuse the pun) before you even get to the center you won't have room enough to turn around without trespassing on someone else's property!

So now, Alex, I have a question for you: How much earth would you have moved if you could dig out your property all the way to the middle of the Earth.

Answer 2

Some places you do, and some you don't. In Kentucky and West Virginia there is a lot of property that is sold without the "mineral rights". Years ago, coal companies paid people for the right to the coal under the ground. In some places, there are natural gas wells and a gas company bought the rights to the gas under the property. You'll see this in West Virginia on rural property. Sometimes the property comes with free use of gas as a perk. So, to answer your question you don't always own what's below the soil.

Answer 3

In Canada, it's the top 6 inches, the mineral rights belong to the government.

Answer 4

Not unless you own the mineral rights also, which most people do NOT. BTW, good luck drilling down past say 50,000 feet, which is still well inside the crust.

Answer 5

i am not shuer but were i live i dont have a right to take anny land away like minrels or gold ex..... good question and at the same time who cares u want to make a big tunnel??? a under ground forturus lol

Answer 6

Think about it in realty. How can you say you own a piece of a planet. It's just a legal document that says you can live where you do.