Application of effective stress finite element method to the study of stress levels, deformation and pore water pressure distribution of the Tiger rock tailings dam is discussed.  The results show that in the case of the current dam height, the tailings dam is stable when no earthquake occurs. When the intensity of the earthquake is Ⅶ degrees, the tailings dam stacks outside the beach slope and liquefaction damage in the local sand tailings will be occurred. In the case of the final dam height, when no earthquake occurs, the tailings dam is in a limit state. When the intensity of the earthquake is Ⅶ degrees, the major area of tailings dam outside the beach slope and sediment accumulation of tailings sand will be occurred with liquefaction damage.