Social Impacts. The 1908 Messina Earthquake resulted in a large loss of life due to the collapse of unreinforced masonry buildings (URM), taking the lives of approximately 123,000 people, in the city of Messina alone.Due to the destruction caused by this earthquake, over 59,000 in the city of Messina were left homeless.ocial Impacts. The 1908 Messina Earthquake resulted in a large loss of life due to the collapse of unreinforced masonry buildings (URM), taking the lives of approximately 123,000 people, in the city of Messina alone.