Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts - Multi-Client Data Library (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Gross costs of multi-client data creation	$ 1,010,909		$ 1,007,762
Less: accumulated amortization	(824,421)		(816,401)
Less: impairments to multi-client data library	(132,144)		(130,977)
Multi-client data library, net	54,344		$ 60,384
Amortization of multi-client data library	8,020	$ 11,100
Impairment of multi-client data library	$ 1,167

Accumulated amortization of multi-client data creation costs capitalized at the end of the reporting period.

No definition available.

Name:	io_AccumulatedAmortizationOfMultiClientDataCosts
Namespace Prefix:	io_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of the multi-client library over the expected benefit period of such asset.

No definition available.

Name:	io_AmortizationOfMultiClientLibrary
Namespace Prefix:	io_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Gross amount of multi-client data creation costs capitalized at the end of the reporting period.

No definition available.

Name:	io_GrossCostsOfMultiClientDataCapitalized
Namespace Prefix:	io_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Multi-Client Data Library, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss

No definition available.

Name:	io_MultiClientDataLibraryImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
Namespace Prefix:	io_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Multi-client data library impairment charges.

No definition available.

Name:	io_MultiClientDataLibraryImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	io_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Capitalized costs directly incurred in acquiring and processing of seismic surveys that are licensed on a nonexclusive basis, net of amortization.

No definition available.

Name:	io_MultiClientDataLibraryNet
Namespace Prefix:	io_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration