Not a pump failure. Not thermal shock. Not a freak weather event. 

This is what earthquake damage looks like. 

What you’re seeing here is a field of ruptured stainless steel wine tanks — buckled, crumpled, and collapsed after a major seismic event.

Here’s what actually happens 

1. Earthquake hits.
2. Tank anchors or walls fail under seismic load.
3. The now-loose tank shifts, slams into its foundation or neighboring tanks, causing rupture.
4. Product rushes out, creating a sudden internal vacuum.
5. Atmospheric pressure implodes the remaining structure.

This photo captures more than just failure — it captures the urgency. That’s our team on-site, alongside facility owners, helping assess damage and get production back online.

This is where Onguard was born — not in a lab, but in the rubble.
That’s why our seismic anchoring systems aren’t just code-compliant.
They’re earthquake-proven.

If you're responsible for critical infrastructure in a seismic zone — wine, water, chemicals, food — it's worth asking:

Are your tanks anchored for reality? 

Russia’s massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the Kamchatka Peninsula—one of the strongest ever recorded—triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific and sent a clear message: seismic risk is real, global, and accelerating.

At Onguard Seismic Systems, we specialize in protecting above-ground liquid storage tanks from exactly this kind of threat. Our patented seismic anchoring system is engineered to dissipate earthquake energy and prevent catastrophic tank failure, protecting not only the tank, but the people, product, and environment behind it.

From wine to water, dairy to petrochem, our systems are across many installations globally—and are trusted by engineers, insurers, and regulators who understand what’s at stake.

With seismic strain silently building in many hotspots around the globe, the question is no longer if the next big one will hit—but whether your infrastructure is built to withstand it?

Explore how Onguard protects that which matters most at www.onguardseismic.com.

WHEN TRAGEDY STRUCK

Will Lomax watched as thousands of gallons of hard-earned, world-acclaimed Sauvignon Blanc disappeared down the drain. He was standing alongside a winery owner and they could do nothing to make it stop.

The two men had just realized the effects of the 2013 Magnitude 6.6 Marlborough earthquakes, and it was devastating.

In wineries throughout the region, wine tank walls cracked and buckled, and their stands folded. Stainless steel crumpled and valuable wine sprayed from tanks, leaking ankle-deep onto the ground.

THE DAMAGE WEIGHED HEAVILY

Will worked with winery owners to assess the damage to their wineries. While delivering news on expensive repairs, he couldn’t hide from the pain and frustration he saw.

Will Lomax, Founder and CEO of ONGUARD 

Losses from the catastrophe were not just the immediate loss of wine. Without fully-functional tanks, wineries lost their means of production. Many lost their market share as retailers and distributors moved quickly to replace lost suppliers.

It was obvious to him that the failure of traditional tank anchoring systems demanded a better engineering response.

Engineers rethink traditional seismic tank anchoring systems 

ONGUARD WAS BORN

Will responded to the tragedy by founding Team ONGUARD that year. Together they designed an innovative, multiple award-winning seismic anchoring system capable of withstanding an entire earthquake and its aftershocks.

ONGUARD systems were soon installed throughout New Zealand, and they successfully protected 15 million gallons of wine in over 300 wine tanks, with a 100% success rate, when the 2016 Magnitude 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake struck three years later. 

Today ONGUARD is firmly rooted in both New Zealand and the West Coast of the USA, In addition, it is expanding its reach to Texas, Chile, Italy, and other global locations.

ONGUARD doesn’t stop at wine tanks; ONGUARD’s patented energy-dissipating systems are capable of protecting all kinds of liquid storage tanks. Food and beverage tanks, oil and gas tanks, and dairy tanks are just a few on the list now sporting ONGUARD anchors.

Meet our team and find out why we won’t stop growing.

The ONGUARD seismic system has withstood the ultimate test – a very strong, extremely complex earthquake that had absolutely devastating effects.

Cue the suspenseful soundtrack… Let’s take a trip to where it happened and see how this powerful earthquake impacted the area, and learn how ONGUARD’s tanks performed.

THE GREATEST TEST OF OUR TANK PROTECTION

Welcome to the Marlborough region of New Zealand. 

Marlborough is most famous for its dry climate and Sauvignon Blanc wine, described as “the best in the world” by internationally acclaimed wine critics [1]. It is by far New Zealand’s largest wine region and accounts for 80% of the country’s production [2].

THE CLIENTS

Several Marlborough wineries had already decided to invest in cutting-edge seismic technology by mid-2016, choosing ONGUARD to protect their wine tanks.

ONGUARD deployed its energy-dissipating seismic system on over 300 tanks at those wineries, protecting around 15 million gallons of wine.

THE EARTHQUAKE

The Magnitude 7.8 Kaikōura Earthquake struck New Zealand’s South Island on November 14, 2016 at 12.02am local time [3], causing two minutes of violent shaking [4].

It was described as “the most complex earthquake ever studied” by the BBC [5]; ruptures occurred on multiple faults, and more than 10,000 landslides were triggered [3].

THE IMPACT

According to Stuff.co.nz [6] NZ$1.8 billion of property insurance claims were received. That’s approximately US$1.3 billion.

The Kaikōura Earthquake Recovery Programme’s site described how train tracks twisted, and roads cracked open wide enough to swallow a bus. Over 100 structures and 20 tunnels were damaged, and roads and railways were clogged with over 35 million cubic feet (one million cubic meters) of rock and other fallen debris [7].

Will Lomax, ONGUARD’s President and CEO, had seen his own office destroyed by an earlier New Zealand earthquake.  

THE RESULTS

300+ ONGUARD-protected tanks, holding 15 million gallons of wine, survived two minutes of violent shaking with zero damage and, crucially, not a drop of ONGUARD-protected wine was lost.

Traditionally-designed anchoring systems failed at alarming rates, spilling wine onto cellar floors. Tanks collapsed, catwalks fell down, and production was brought to an abrupt halt that lasted months. The scene was apocalyptic.

Thankfully, the event occurred during the night and nobody was injured. The story may have been different if the earthquake had struck during business hours.

Damage inflicted on wine tanks and traditional tank anchorage systems when the M7.8 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake hit Marlborough, New Zealand.  

THE VALIDATION

ONGUARD passed the test with flying colors; no ONGUARD-protected liquid storage tanks suffered any damaged whatsoever, and there was no loss of product.

ONGUARD’s seismic systems performed exactly as intended, safeguarding the future of those businesses that chose to invest.

Earthquakes are inevitable. If you’re a tank owner looking for some peace of mind, CONTACT ONGUARD TODAY

The scene at a winery with ONGUARD-protected tanks, only hours after the M7.8 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake struck. Our engineers inspected every ONGUARD-protected tank in the region and found zero damage to tanks, concrete and connected services, and no loss of product.  

REFERENCES

[1] “The Globe in a Glass”. The Economist. 16 Dec 1999. Updated 16 Aug 2006.

[2] “Annual Report 2021”. New Zealand Winegrowers.

[3] “M 7.8 Kaikōura Mon, Nov 14 2016”. United States Geological Survey. 

[4]  “Watching the M7.8 Kaikoura quake dominos fall in real time”. GeoNet. 23 November 2016.

[5]  Amos, Jonathan. “Kaikoura: ‘Most complex quake ever studied'”. BBC. 23 March 2017

[6]  Winter, Chloe. “Insurance claims total $1.84 billion for Kaikoura earthquake”. Stuff.co.nz. 21 June 2017

[7] “Kaikōura Earthquake Recovery Programme, New Zealand”. Aurecon.

Earthquakes do, and will, strike without warning. Is your business at risk?

ONGUARD can help Protect your People, Protect your Product, Protect your Facility, Protect your Market Share and Protect your Profit.

FEATURING:

• Anchors for TANKS on STANDS
• RETRO FITTING for existing tanks

As you would expect, by reducing your exposure to earthquake risk and the negative consequences of damage from seismic events, the ONGUARD seismic system on your tanks can provide tangible benefits.

Visit our display and see firsthand how our tanks can fit into your production needs.

Onguard Seismic Systems, Inc.
Unified Symposium Booth: 245

Developed in New Zealand by Will Lomax and a team of structural engineers with first-hand experience of the destructive power of earthquakes, ONGUARD’s patented tension and compression system dissipates seismic energy in a controlled manner, keeping the tank and its contents protected. The integrated system is built to provide high levels of seismic risk mitigation with the ability to continuously withstand multiple aftershocks. It can be specified from the ground up with new tank installations, including tanks on stands, or retro-fitted to existing tanks to improve their earthquake performance and introduce much-needed resilience. ONGUARD provides an unrivaled level of performance, protection and peace of mind.

🎉 Celebrating 10 amazing years of Onguard! A huge thank you to our incredible team, clients, and partners who've been part of this journey. Here's to the next decade of growth, innovation, and success! 

Introducing Onguard Seismic Systems – the essential partner for the US wine industry in safeguarding your wine tanks from seismic threats. With California and other wine-producing regions prone to earthquakes, protecting both your infrastructure and your premium product is crucial.

Our advanced seismic protection technology is designed specifically for the unique needs of wineries, ensuring that your tanks and their contents remain secure during seismic events. Imagine the peace of mind knowing that your investment in fine wines and cherished heritage is protected. Our solutions integrate seamlessly into your existing infrastructure, for both new and existing tanks, providing a robust safety net without disrupting your operations.

Join the growing number of wineries prioritizing safety and sustainability. By choosing Onguard, you’re not just investing in a product – you’re investing in the future of your business. Ensure your wines reach your customers, even in the face of natural challenges.

Don’t let seismic risks threaten your legacy. Contact Onguard Seismic Systems today and discover how we can help you to protect your facility and maintain the integrity of your business for generations to come.

Visit us at booth 446 at the WIN Expo on December 5. Use our promo code ONG446 for a free trade show pass or $30 off conference sessions!

New Zealand is at the heart of our origin story, and it continues to headquarter our growing team and is the source for our game-changing products that are distributed around the globe.

We are honored to protect wine, water, dairy, and chemical tanks across 55 different production facilities on the North and South Islands.

Thank you to all our NZ clients and friends for your support and trust.

Earthquakes do, and will, strike without warning. Is your business at risk?

ONGUARD can help Protect your People, Protect your Product, Protect your Facility, Protect your Market Share and Protect your Profit.

FEATURING:

• Anchors for TANKS on STANDS
• RETRO FITTING for existing tanks

As you would expect, by reducing your exposure to earthquake risk and the negative consequences of damage from seismic events, the ONGUARD seismic system on your tanks can provide tangible benefits.

Onguard Seismic Systems, Inc.
Unified Symposium Booth: 742

Earthquakes do, and will, strike without warning. Is your business at risk?

ONGUARD can help Protect your People, Protect your Product, Protect your Facility, Protect your Market Share and Protect your Profit.

FEATURING:

• Anchors for TANKS on STANDS
• RETRO FITTING for existing tanks

As you would expect, by reducing your exposure to earthquake risk and the negative consequences of damage from seismic events, the ONGUARD seismic system on your tanks can provide tangible benefits.

Visit us at the WIN Expo on November 30th at booth 446. Use promo code ONG446 for a free trade show pass or $30 off conference sessions.