The link between electron beam irradiation and crystal lattice reorientation is underscored by the fact that beam-tolerant crystals such as those of Zn(II)-histidine exhibited limited intensity fluctuations that were gradual, akin to a slow out-of-plane rotation of the crystal. In contrast, the sharp, dramatic changes in diffraction of Zn(II)-methionine crystals when irradiated at room temperature at either 200 or 300 kV, arise from rapid crystal reorientations, or crystal quakes. In fact, a dramatic peak is noted in derivative profiles of summed reflection intensity over time for these crystals, consistently appearing after exposure to 0.07 -0.1 e -/Å 2 , which is matched by a rapid shift in the appearance of bend contours in these crystals after accumulation of approximately the same integrated flux. These rapid changes might be explained by a buckling or partial collapse of the crystal lattice instigated by delivery of a critical dose at room temperature, while application of cryogenic temperatures might allow the crystal to remain closer to its initial configuration. Crystal quakes were more rarely observed in crystals of Cu(II)-serine, Zn(II)histidine, and biotin held at room temperature, though went unobserved in any investigations at cryogenic temperature.