Which scale is currently used to measure the total energy released by earthquakes?

The Moment Magnitude scale is the scientific standard currently used to measure the total energy released by earthquakes. This scale has been adopted because it provides a more accurate and reliable measurement of an earthquake's size, especially for larger events that exceed the range of the Richter scale.

The Moment Magnitude scale calculates the magnitude of an earthquake by considering the seismic moment, which is a product of the fault area that slipped, the average amount of slip on the fault, and the rigidity of the rocks involved. This comprehensive approach allows the Moment Magnitude scale to account for the entire fault's performance and the energy released, making it superior to earlier methods in assessing large earthquakes.

In contrast, the Richter scale, while historically significant, primarily measures the amplitude of the seismic waves produced and is less effective for large earthquakes. The Modified Mercalli intensity scale focuses on the observed effects of an earthquake on people and buildings rather than the seismic energy itself. The Seismic Impact Scale is less commonly used and does not measure the energy released in the same systematic way as the Moment Magnitude scale.

Therefore, the Moment Magnitude scale is considered the most accurate tool for measuring the total energy release of earthquakes in contemporary geology.