A significant quantity of vertical cylindrical storage tanks is being built in earthquake-prone regions. The present paper gives data on tank accidents as a result of seismic events of the 20th and 21st centuries and describes typical incidents and their scenarios during the earthquakes in Coaling (California, USA), Niigata, Tokachi-Oki and Tohoku (Japan), Emilia (northern Italy). During the research work, risk factors and typical consequences of accidents were analyzed for tanks of different sizes. Some recommendations for increasing seismic resistance of storage tanks are given as a result of the analysis.

Development of Oil and Gas Industry leads to significant amount of storage tanks being built in earthquake-prone zones. During seismic events, tanks suffer damage of different types. This article discusses main types of defects and failures, their causes, and applicability to each kind of tanks. A classification of these damages in accordance with two levels of assessment of the consequences of earthquakes adopted in regulatory documents of Russian Federation is proposed. Based on the results of the analysis, factors that ought to be taken into account for developing the seismic procedure of storage tanks are identified.