What factor was likely responsible for the location of europe's first civilization? it is a landlocked area. it is between three continents. it has a temperate climate. it was not threatened by seismic activity.

The first of Europe's civilisations was on Crete and it was organized by the Minoans. It's an island, so it can't be landlocked.

Also, It does not have a temperate climate, but rather a Mediterranean climate.

It has a seismic activity and in fact, Minoan Civilisation is believed to be brough down by a volcano.

So, after we've rejected all the wrong options, we're left with:

It is between three continents.  

The peak above is part of the  sierra madre occidentals ,  a chain of volcanic mountains that runs through the middle of central america.