Can tectonic plates change direction

Answer 1

Yes, in fact millions of years ago the Pacific plate did change direction from North to Northwest! you can know because there's a bend in the Hawaiian chain of islands and sea-mounts combined! you can see the bend on your globe, it's a big bend.

Answer 2

Yes, tectonic plates can change direction over long periods of time due to various factors such as the movement of the Earth's mantle, the interactions of different tectonic plates, and the formation of new plate boundaries. These changes are typically slow and occur over millions of years.