Which statement best exemplifies Lyell's ideas, which led Darwin to formulate his own views on evolution? Species of the temperate regions of South America are more similar to temperate European species than they are to those of tropical South America. Species of the temperate regions of South America are more similar to those of tropical South America than they are to temperate European species. A catastrophic earthquake could almost instantaneously wipe out many species. Coastline formation has occurred almost imperceptibly slowly, but it can operate over vast spans of time, even many millions of years. Large-scale volcanic eruptions can quickly alter the landscape.