Because most major faults in the area are nearly parallel to the San Andreas fault, the change in stress tended to be in a sense to relax these faults.
(most major faults in the area; are; nearly parallel to the San Andreas fault) (the change in stress; tended; to be in a sense to relax these faults) (the change in stress; to be; in a sense)
most major faults in the area the change in stress the change in stress
are tended to be
nearly parallel to the San Andreas fault
to be in a sense to relax these faults
in a sense