Could the Thames river move a mile in 800,000 years?

Question

In H.G. Wells The Time Machine, he states that "the Thames seemed to have shifted a mile from it's current position". I don't know much about plate tectonics, but is it possible for a river to move? And if so, would it have moved that much in 800,000 years? (strange question I know...)

Answer 1

Not only could the Thames move more than a mile it HAS and in far less than 800,000 years. The changes in its course have been greatly influenced by the various ice ages and the development of London which has narrowed and deepened the river. Land drainage has also changed and reduced its delta by many miles in some places. Building excavations and bore holes often reveal deposits of Thames Gravel more than 10 miles from its present course.

Answer 2

I go w H.G.WELLS

Answer 3

This isn't plate techtonics at all. It's erosion, rivers are constantly changing and moving because as they go they carry dirt and such from one place and deposit it in another. As a matter of fact, you can somewhat guess the age of a river based on it's formation because of this. I would think it could be quite possible for a river to shift a mile in that amount of time but then again it would also be possible for it to have died out by then.