a study on calcite twinning and carbonate relationships with the sevier orogenic belt showed that shortening directions were parallel to the thrust faulting, which was an e-w direction. differential stress magnitudes determined from calcite twinning showed a decreasing trend exponentially toward the craton. differential stresses causing compressional deformation in the sevier thrust were greater than 150 mpa. the e-w contraction during the sevier changed to roughly n-s oblique during the laramide orogenic event. sevier shortening has been recorded throughout much of the western united states as far east as minnesota in the cretaceous greenhorn limestone as preserved by calcite twinning. the distance of stress transfer is roughly equivalent to more than 2000 km. the e-w shortening shown in calcite twinning of the sevier is parallel to today's principal stresses in the western interior of the north american plate.