Final answer:
The Viking civilization focused on trade, raids, and invasions across Europe, while the Polynesians were master navigators who settled islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Viking and Polynesian explorations and settlements had several differences. Firstly, the Vikings, originating from Scandinavia, focused on expanding trade, establishing settlements, and conducting raids and invasions across Europe, including regions such as Iceland, Greenland, and North America. On the other hand, the Polynesians, originating from the Pacific islands, were master navigators who ventured across vast distances in the Pacific Ocean, settling islands such as Hawaii, New Zealand, and Easter Island.
Secondly, the Viking civilization was known for their advanced seafaring skills and technological advancements in shipbuilding, particularly with their versatile longships. In contrast, the Polynesians used double-hulled canoes and employed celestial navigation techniques to explore and navigate the vast Pacific Ocean. Lastly, the motivations for Viking exploration were driven by trade, expansion, and conquest, while Polynesian exploration was motivated by seeking new lands for settlement, expansion of resources, and cultural exchange.