Final answer:
Geologic processes can occur both slowly, such as erosion, and rapidly, like volcanic eruptions. Charles Lyell's theory of uniformitarianism asserts that similar geologic processes have been consistent over time, but it does not rule out the occurrence of swift geologic events.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that all geologic processes unfold slowly is not entirely accurate. Evidence from past and present geological studies demonstrates that while many geological features are indeed produced by gradual processes, such as the erosion of rocks by water over millennia, there are also instances where the Earth undergoes rapid and dramatic changes. Events like volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and landslides exemplify these sudden and substantial geologic changes.
The Scottish geologist Charles Lyell was a major proponent of the theory of uniformitarianism, which posits that the geologic processes we observe in the present have worked in much the same way in the past, at consistent rates. While uniformitarianism focuses on the slow and steady progression of geology, it does not exclude the possibility of rapid, catastrophic events occurring throughout Earth's history. Therefore, the student's query about the speed of geologic processes can definitely include examples of both slow and rapid events.