Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Cash Flow, Restricted Cash Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 27,894	$ 33,551	$ 30,043
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in statements of cash flows	28,197	33,854	30,406	$ 52,419
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	303		60
Other long-term assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	0		303
ION Geophysical Corporation
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	7,153		20,553
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in statements of cash flows	7,456	14,085	20,916	39,707
ION Geophysical Corporation | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	303		60
ION Geophysical Corporation | Other long-term assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash			303
The Guarantors
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	45		18
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in statements of cash flows	45	47	18	66
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
All Other Subsidiaries
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	20,696		9,472
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in statements of cash flows	20,696	$ 19,722	9,472	$ 12,646
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