How is the orientation of earths magnetism recorded on the ocean floor?

The orientation of Earth's magnetism is recorded on the ocean floor through the process of seafloor spreading at mid-ocean ridges. As magma rises and solidifies to form new oceanic crust, iron-rich minerals within the magma align themselves with the Earth's magnetic field. This alignment captures the direction and intensity of the magnetic field at the time of solidification, creating a pattern of magnetic stripes on either side of the ridge. These magnetic signatures can be used to study plate tectonics and the history of Earth's magnetic field reversals.