How is paleomagnetism used to calculate the rate of seafloor spreading?

Paleomagnetism measures the orientation of magnetic minerals in rocks, which record the Earth's magnetic field direction at the time of their formation. In the context of seafloor spreading, scientists analyze the magnetic stripes on either side of mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is created. By dating these magnetic anomalies and measuring their distance from the ridge, researchers can calculate the rate at which the seafloor is spreading. This method provides insights into the dynamics of plate tectonics and the history of Earth's magnetic field reversals.