"Expedition" or "Exploration"?

[ngoc_lan]

I've checked in my bilingual dictionary (of course English - Vietnamese dictionary)
that these 2 words have the same meaning. So I'm confused whether which word
is correct for this sentence:
The ________ to the South Pole had to be delayed because of dangerous
weather conditions. ("Expedition" or "Exploration"?)

I hope to receive answers from you. Thank you.

[Gillnetter]

I've checked in my bilingual dictionary (of course English - Vietnamese dictionary)
that these 2 words have the same meaning. So I'm confused whether which word
is correct for this sentence:
The ________ to the South Pole had to be delayed because of dangerous
weather conditions. ("Expedition" or "Exploration"?)

I hope to receive answers from you. Thank you.

I would use "Expedition". Think of "Expedition" as a trip or a journey. The trip to the South Pole had to be delayed. "Exploration", on the other hand, has the sense of events that could occur over a long period of time. In addition, there is the consideration of the word "to". It wouldn't be the 'Exploration" to the South Pole, but the "Expedition" to the South Pole. If you used "Exploration", you would have to use "of" - The expedition of the South Pole.

[ngoc_lan]

Thanks a lot!