Final answer:
Option D.
Volcanic hot spots can be active for millions of years, as evidenced by the Hawaiian hot spot, active for at least 100 million years, and geological timelines that often stretch over immense periods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lifespan of volcanic hot spots can typically last for millions of years. The Hawaiian hot spot, for example, has been active for at least 100 million years, a time frame supported by geological studies showing that as Earth's plates moved, the hot spot formed a chain of volcanic islands over a vast period.
Similarly, geological observations indicate that some volcanic surfaces, such as that of Olympus Mons on Mars, must be relatively young in geologic terms, being no more than about 100 million years old.
Additionally, the formation of natural resources by geological processes often takes tens of millions of years, highlighting that many geological processes, including the activity of hot spots, unfold over extensive timescales far exceeding human lifespans and civilizational timelines.
In terms of the original question, the correct option is D. Millions of years. Hot spots like the one beneath Hawaii have continually shaped the Earth's surface over millions of years, producing large volcanic features and influencing ecosystems.