Acquisition of Controlling Interest in OceanGeo - Pro Forma Income Statement Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 153,882	$ 147,706
Income from operations	23,747	4,291
Net income	77,968	4,010
Net income attributable to ION	$ 76,821	$ 3,164
Basic net income per common share	$ 0.47	$ 0.02
Diluted net income per common share	$ 0.47	$ 0.02

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent

No definition available.

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- Definition

The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463

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- Definition

The pro forma diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

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- Definition

The pro forma income from continuing operations before changes in accounting and extraordinary items, net of tax effect, for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

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- Definition

The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

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The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.

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