SANTIAGO, Dec 25 (Reuters) Chile issued a tsunami warning and evacuation order for southern coastal areas after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.7 struck 225 km southwest of Puerto Montt in southern Chile today. The tsunami warning was issued for areas within 1,000 km of the epicenter of the quake, the US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. Tsunami waves reaching around one meter above the tide level are expected along parts of the Chilean coast, according to local emergency services. The first tidal waves were expected to arrive at the shoreline in Chile's Los Lagos region by 1 p.m. local time (2130 IST), Chile's National Emergency Office (Onemi) said. Onemi chief Ricardo Toro called on Los Lagos residents to abandon beaches and go to safe zones. MORE REUTERS PS GC2121