A compilation of lithospheric stress directions for continental South America and the inferred major patterns of the regional intraplate stress field are presented. Stress orientations are based primarily on earthquake focal mechanisms and Quaternary fault slip inversion published in the literature. Four new focal mechanisms based on short‐period P wave modeling, and selected centroid‐moment‐tensor solutions (published by U.S. Geological Survey) consistent with P wave first motions at South American and other World‐Wide Standard Seismograph Network stations are also included in the data base. The observed patterns of intraplate stresses may be useful in constraining numerical models of the plate driving forces in the South American plate. In the Andean plateau (altitudes greater than 3000 m), N‐S extensional stresses predominate. E‐W compressional stresses are observed in the sub‐Andean and platform regions extending up to about 1000 km east of the Andes. The maximum horizontal stress (SHmax) is uniformly oriented in the E‐W direction throughout western South America. Averages of the SHmax direction at grid points spaced 2.5° were taken as representing the “regional” field. The E‐W direction of this regional field is not affected by the change of strike of the Andean chain nor by the contact of a flat subducted slab underneath. The regional SHmax direction is oriented 15° more clockwise than the direction of the Nazca plate convergence. The difference between the regional SHmax orientations and the absolute plate motion may be only about 6°. This may indicate that contact forces with the Nazca plate may not be the only major contributor to the intraplate stresses in western South America. The eastern limit of this Andean stress province seems to coincide with aseismic regions in the Upper Amazon basin and in the Parana basin. In the central Amazonian region, seismicity and stress data suggest a seismic province with N‐S compressional stresses. The origin of these stresses is not yet clearly understood but could possibly be related to lower crustal loading along the middle Amazon basin. In northeastern Brazil, seismicity is characterized by upper crustal strike‐slip earthquakes bordering the Potiguar marginal basin. A model is proposed for this region in which the stress field is the result of a superposition of regional E‐W compressional stresses and local extensional stresses (oriented perpendicular to the continental margin) possibly related to density contrasts and sediment loading in the continental shelf.

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The collapse of a mine tailings dam and subsequent flood in SE Brazil on 5 November 2015 was preceded by a small‐magnitude seismic sequence. In this report, we explore the spatiotemporal associations between the seismic events and the accident and discuss their possible connection. We also analyze the signals generated by the turbulent mudflow, as recorded by the Brazilian Seismographic Network (RSBR). In light of our observations, we propose as possible contributing factor for the dam collapse either ground shaking and/or soil liquefaction triggered by the earthquakes. The possibility of such a small‐magnitude earthquake contributing to the collapse of a tailings dam raises important concerns regarding safety and related legislation of dams in Brazil and the world.

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