The Pacific Plate is moving in a northwest direction. This movement is generally at a rate of about 5 to 11 centimeters (approximately 2 to 4 inches) per year
. Specifically, it moves northwest relative to the North American Plate, which moves southwest or west-southwest
. The northwest movement of the Pacific Plate is evidenced by the alignment of volcanic island chains such as the Hawaiian Islands, which form along this direction over a hotspot within the plate
