Final answer:
The kink in the Hawaii-emperor chain of islands represents changes in the direction of the Pacific Plate, due to plate tectonics. The Pacific Plate's movement over a hotspot leads to island formation, and changes in this direction create the 'kink' in the island chain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The kink in the Hawaii-emperor chain of islands represents C) Changes in the direction of the Pacific Plate. This is due to a geological concept known as plate tectonics. The Earth's crust is made up of several large and small plates that are constantly moving. The Hawaiian Islands are located on the Pacific Plate, which is moving over a hotspot of magma, thus causing volcanic activity and the creation of new islands.
As the Pacific Plate changes direction, the position of these newly formed islands also changes, thereby creating the observed 'kink' in the island chain. This change in plate direction is reflective of changes in the Earth's movement over geologic timescales. It is not due to earthquakes, geographical anomalies, or abrupt climate change.
Learn more about Plate Tectonics