That makes it so you can follow the spiraling path forward safely. Use your map to switch the direction that the driveshaft is spinning - this will make the spike-covered cylinder spin the other way. You want the cylinder to be spinning from left to right. Head inside the room and stop in front of the spinning, spike-covered cylinder. Hop off, then wait at the giant spinning disc until a door spins past. Run over and let it carry you up to the platform on the right. The gear ahead of you on the right has paddle-like platforms coming up out of the lava that you can ride. From the map terminal, head back to the entrance.
