No, the oceanic crust near a mid-ocean ridge is younger than oceanic crust farther away.

Here's why:

* Seafloor Spreading: Mid-ocean ridges are where new oceanic crust is created. Molten rock from the Earth's mantle rises up, cools, and solidifies to form new crust.

* Movement Away: As new crust forms, older crust is pushed away from the ridge on either side. This is like a conveyor belt, with the newest crust at the center and the oldest crust furthest away.

* Age Gradient: As you move further away from the ridge, the crust progressively gets older. This is why the oldest oceanic crust is found in the deepest parts of the ocean, far from the active spreading centers.

Let me know if you have any other questions!