<span>the search by petroleum geologists and geophysicists for hydrocarbon deposits beneath the Earth's surface, </span>
Trade was the motivating factor. The silk road accross Asia was besieged by bandits & required bribes to a number of nations to transport goods to & from Asia. Therefore a sea route would be a much safer & less expensive means of getting trade goods to & from Asia.
It opened up a second front in the war, which lead ultimately to the defeat of nazi Germany.
Answer:
"of the following"
of the following what? There's nothing
