We must find where the roots of ancient strike-slip faults were exposed to the surface by the combined processes of uplift of the land and erosion of the uplifted land by water and ice. What we do has a very large educational component. Mankind in general has a curiosity about how and why things are the way they are. The search for answers has occupied us during all recorded history, and, undoubtedly, from well before. Questioning is a characteristic of our species, Homo sapiens.
Geologists are uniquely able to help the general population to understand the environment.
An important part of the education process is the training of future scientists. We identify motivated students in college and interest them in the study of the earth. There is great effort by geologists around the world to understand why there are mountains. Most people take mountains for granted until they are confronted with the question of why are there mountains. Ice and water are commonly credited with making the mountains.