Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Cash Flow, Restricted Cash Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 50,750	$ 52,056	$ 49,640
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	51,113	52,419	50,279	$ 53,433
Prepaide expenses and other current assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	60		285
Other long-term assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	303		354
ION Geophysical Corporation
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	41,380		28,366
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	41,743	39,707	29,005	23,823
ION Geophysical Corporation | Prepaide expenses and other current assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	60		285
ION Geophysical Corporation | Other long-term assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	303		354
The Guarantors
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	0	0	0	0
The Guarantors | Prepaide expenses and other current assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	0		0
The Guarantors | Other long-term assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	0		0
All Other Subsidiaries
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	9,370		21,274
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	9,370	$ 12,712	21,274	$ 29,610
All Other Subsidiaries | Prepaide expenses and other current assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	0		0
All Other Subsidiaries | Other long-term assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	$ 0		$ 0