Are extinction events usually rapid or slow?

Extinction events can vary in their pace, but many significant events in Earth's history, such as the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction, occurred relatively rapidly, often over a few thousand to million years. These rapid extinctions are typically triggered by catastrophic events like asteroid impacts or massive volcanic eruptions. In contrast, background extinctions, which happen continuously over time due to gradual environmental changes, are generally slower. Overall, while some extinction events are rapid, others can occur over extended periods.