Electron beam radiation has been widely used to modify the surface properties of materials such as metals, ceramics, and glasses. However, a few investigations of surface topology of glasses after electron irradiation can be found. In contrast to the surface cracking by bending, indentation, and thermally induced stress in soda lime glasses a 2 Vs pulsed high-current electron beam was used to modify the surfaces of soda lime glass. Surface topology of irradiated samples was studied by using traditional optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Parallel to and perpendicular to surface cracks were observed. The depth of crack can be obtained by electron penetration, Newton's ring and AFM. The stress to produce the crack by electron radiation was calculated using three obtained depths. The observed surface crack is explained in terms of radiation-induced thermal stress and high local electric field-induced by deposited charges from pulsed electrons. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.