Scientists in charge of studying an artifact, the Zohar, lost control of the device. The damage to the planet and humanity was quite serious and Vector Industies provided vessels to escape the planet. Still, the Zohar continued to threaten them, the damage having the potential to travel throughout the universe.

So the entire solar system and Earth, or Lost Jerusalem as it is known as in my time, was reduced to Planck Scale, making it impossible for the planet to ever be relocated.