This paper proposes a methodology of geological and geomorphological studies for assessing seismic hazard in territorial planning. In particular, it illustrates the research in progress in the Provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia (northern Italy) with a case study in the Modena Apennines (the Pavullo nel Frignano area, which was the epicentre of the latest and strongest earthquake affecting the study area). The research is organised according to the following studies at different scales: 1) Research on geological, structural, neotectonic, seismological and seismotectonic characteristics, 2) Historical and bibliographic research on earthquake-induced surface effects, 3) Study of geological characteristics, 2) Study of litho-technical characteristics, 5) Study of geomorphological characteristics, 6) Study of seismic susceptibility characteristics