How Raised Bogs Form
One type of bog is called a raised bog. It is common in Ireland. Long ago, glaciers scraped out hollows in the land. Those hollows filled with water. They became small lakes.
lake
On the edges of each lake, plants grew. As they died, they began to fill up the lake.
dead plants
As the dead plants piled up, they created a spongy mat. Over time, this mat grew. It trapped water in the lake. Mosses grew on top. This is a raised bog.
moss
bog plants
peat
This raised bog took thousands of years to form.
Irish peat is harvested to be burned in power plants.
