Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	May 04, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ION GEOPHYSICAL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000866609
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		15,036,648