Lost Island is in a time loop. This time loop was created by the original, very advanced inhabitants after they figured out when the next polar reversal would happen. The Island (or what we know as empty ocean) exists directly across the globe from the largest mass area on earth-this causes the earth to be unbalanced (the magnetic field is greater over where there is more land mass), which at variable times in the earth's history has caused a polar reversal. A polar reversal is catastrophic-only few may survive in horrible, nightmarish conditions. The ancient inhabitants knew that by making the island into a time loop, (they built the frozen donkey wheel) this would even out the electromagnetism at the part of the world that is the Island and while the Island plays out as a time loop, the rest of the world moves forward in time.
The time loop starts from when the frozen donkey wheel was built and progresses past our future time but then starts over again after a certain point (it circles in time). Ben, Richard, and most of the others are aware of this loop and remember having lived through the circle, this is why they know things. When Desmond prevented Charlie's death long enough for him to unjam the signal and ultimately leading to the Oceanic 6 to leave the time loop-this caused the way of things to change. Jacob told Locke who told Ben to move the Island and this would have just reset the Island to the beginning of the loop-but since things had been changed-the Oceanic Six left their destiny-now the Island is jumping in time. The Survivors must return in order to restore the time loop and stop the chaotic time jumping. This is a new variation of time for Ben and Richard-these are new events for them. Right now the Island is no longer keeping the electromagnetic field of the earth stable-it i! s not keeping a polar reversal from happening-and the Survivors have 70 hours to return until a polar reversal will occur and "God help
us all".
Theory by Joanna
The time loop starts from when the frozen donkey wheel was built and progresses past our future time but then starts over again after a certain point (it circles in time). Ben, Richard, and most of the others are aware of this loop and remember having lived through the circle, this is why they know things. When Desmond prevented Charlie's death long enough for him to unjam the signal and ultimately leading to the Oceanic 6 to leave the time loop-this caused the way of things to change. Jacob told Locke who told Ben to move the Island and this would have just reset the Island to the beginning of the loop-but since things had been changed-the Oceanic Six left their destiny-now the Island is jumping in time. The Survivors must return in order to restore the time loop and stop the chaotic time jumping. This is a new variation of time for Ben and Richard-these are new events for them. Right now the Island is no longer keeping the electromagnetic field of the earth stable-it i! s not keeping a polar reversal from happening-and the Survivors have 70 hours to return until a polar reversal will occur and "God help
us all".
Theory by Joanna