ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Palsa

Okay kiddo, let me tell you about palsa!

Imagine you're walking in a big field, and under your feet is this squishy muddy ground. That's exactly where palsa can be found, in wetlands like bogs or swamps.

You see, palsa is a type of mound made out of soil and ice. It looks like a little hill or a bump on the ground. The cool thing about it is that it stays frozen, even in the summertime! It's like a mini-iceberg that's just sitting there in the mud.

Now, you might be wondering how palsa keeps its ice from melting, especially when it's warm outside. The answer is that the ground underneath it is frozen, and that keeps the ice in the middle of the mound from melting. It's like a mini-refrigerator!

Palsa is actually really important to the environment, too. It helps keep the wetlands clean by storing all kinds of nutrients in the soil. Plus, it provides a home for all sorts of creatures, like insects and birds.

So, next time you're walking in a wetland and you see a little bump on the ground, remember that it might just be a palsa - a cool little mound made of soil and ice that's always chilly!