A weird question?

Question

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

Answer 1

I guess so. If you want to keep digging, no one is going to stop you!!

Answer 2

Let's pretend that you were genuinely curious. There are restrictions on how far you can go either upwards or downwards. The maximum height of a building you are allowed to construct on your plot depends on the Floor Area Ratio applicable in your place. Also think of aviation related restrictions. Likewise there will be restrictions imposed by environmental or archeology departments. In some places you can't even dig a draw well or pond without clearance. And you certainly must get sanction before any kind of serious construction or piling starts. This definitely means that the concerned authority will have a say on how far you can go, even if there's no clear guidelines on it.

If no such law exists, maybe you can go down to the centre of the world, but that will throw up another question: what if another person decides to do the same from the other side of the world and reaches the point where you've got?

Answer 3

Presumably so, although I dare say there probably hasn't been anyone to test that theory just yet. I don't recommend trying it; it would surely be an expensive proposition.

But in terms of being "food for thought,", imagine that you own a plot of land. It strikes your fancy one day to go out and begin an excavation or digging project, just for the heck of it. You dig and dig and dig to your heart's content. You probably aren't going to happen across a "no trespassing sign" several miles deep, or some kind of detection device that alerts the Dirt Enforcement Agency of your intrusion. Actually, come to think of it, I do believe that on property deeds and such, there is some verbiage that indicates that in taking possession of the land, that the owner also possesses the mineral rights to it, which would encompass everything beneath the traditionally visible surface. Of course, should you find something like cultural artifacts or fossils, an appropriate agency will likely come knocking at your door either trying to buy your land, take it through eminent domain, or some historical/environmental/political process. Happy digging :-)

Answer 4

No the gevernment owns everything below land surface. Hence when a oil or gas is found below, they must first recieve premmission from the government to drill and must pay the land owner for the land above.

Answer 5

No, they don't actually.
If someone were to apply for mining rights they could dig under your land and mine right underneath you. They would have to ensure that your ability to enjoy and use your land wouldn't be interfered with, but they could be under you and you wouldn't know!
If your worried you could apply for the mining rights or exploration rights, to your own land, but you would have to know what sort of mineral, or oil, etc. that you were asking for the rights to.

Answer 6

Nope--i guess. Only up to the surface of the land. Let's say if you find petrolium or other minerals underground in your garden. I think you have to report it to the government. You can not just dig it and sell it out. It is just my guess.

Answer 7

Yes I think you should own all the way down if you decide to dig let me know and il give you a hand .

Answer 8

That is a really funny question!
I don't think that you own it to the centre of the earth.

Answer 9

i guess so.. if you own that land, then, you can dig up to the center of the earth to search for treasures, gold, or diamond in your property.. only you can do that. coz you're within your own boundary. :-)

Answer 10

No all treasures below are government property except water.

Answer 11

Afraid not...everything found of value below the surface (oil ,extreme artifacts etc) has to be declared...although personally I think it should...