The US government issued a tsunami warning for the Pacific coast from Mexico to South America Tuesday after a strong earthquake struck near Oaxaca, Mexico.

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said hazardous waves as high as three meters could strike anywhere within 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) of the quake's epicenter, from 1616 GMT. 

The highest waves, of one to three meters, are expected along Mexico's southern coast near where the 7.4 quake hit hardest, the center said.

Waves of up to one meter could strike the coast of Ecuador, and smaller waves under a half-meter could be seen in Central American countries as well as Hawaii and Peru.

The center warned that tsunamis involve multiple waves that can arrive at intervals of up to one hour.

"The initial wave may not be the largest," it said.