Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Cash Flow, Restricted Cash Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 30,043	$ 52,056	$ 40,225
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in statement of cash flows	30,406	52,419	40,682	$ 53,433
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	60		154
Other long-term assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	303		303
ION Geophysical Corporation
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	20,553		17,243
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in statement of cash flows	20,916	39,707	17,700	23,823
ION Geophysical Corporation | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	60		154
ION Geophysical Corporation | Other long-term assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	303		303
The Guarantors
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	18		43
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in statement of cash flows	18	66	43	215
The Guarantors | Prepaid 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	9,472		22,939
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in statement of cash flows	9,472	$ 12,646	22,939	$ 29,395
All Other Subsidiaries | Prepaid 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