ABSTRACT
Tailings impoundments are unique among engineered structures. They are typically constructed in stages over many years and provide no direct economic benefit to the owner. Their purpose is to store the usually toxic waste products of mineral exploitation and their life spans are unlimited for practical purposes. Thus, even tailings impoundments in regions which are relatively inactive seismically can be expected to experience the ground motion of at least a moderate seismic event capable of inducing liquefaction. Horizontal ground accelerations as low as 0.05 g may be capable of causing liquefaction (Carter & Seed 1988).
