Are these the end days?

Here in New Zealand the world seems to be a little smaller - our tiny nation more isolated. Images from Japan showing the slow creep of that massive wall of black water, consuming whole towns, technology and science spinning in its wake. One is reminded about the powerlessness of the individual. Our largest city - Auckland, was established in and around a cluster of 26 volcanos. Our capital - Wellington, constructed on a major fault line. One has to wonder who will come to the rescue if either of these becomes active? The unfolding muclear disaster in Fukushima
seems a metaphor for mankind's struggle to suborn the engine of it's own creation. The futility of trying to contain fuel rods that have been set free from their containment seems pointless in the face of reality. But, given the choice of wading through toxic slush that jiggles and muffles the tremors beneath your feet, or hanging on to the end of a hose in Fukushima, I suppose it would be better to be doing something, even if it is a losing fight.