How does metamorphism affect fossils?

Answer 1

Metamorphism usually obliterates fossils, and makes them useless for paleontology, but it can make for some interesting rocks. There are different degrees of metamorphism - ranging from rocks that are only slightly changed, to completely melting the rocks and recrystallizing them into a different type of rock. When there is just a slight amount of metamorphism and the minerals in the fossil have a lower melting point than the surrounding rock, the fossils can crystallize, which produces really neat patterns if the rocks are cut and polished.