Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Cash Flow, Restricted Cash Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 42,663	$ 33,065	$ 38,407
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in statements of cash flows	42,688	33,118	38,805	$ 33,854
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	0		398
Other long-term assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	25		0
ION Geophysical Corporation
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	28,602		4,695
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in statements of cash flows	28,627	8,479	5,093	14,085
ION Geophysical Corporation | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash			398
ION Geophysical Corporation | Other long-term assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	25
The Guarantors
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	54		25
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in statements of cash flows	54	26	25	47
The Guarantors | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash			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	14,007		33,687
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in statements of cash flows	14,007	$ 24,613	33,687	$ 19,722
All Other Subsidiaries | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash			$ 0
All Other Subsidiaries | Other long-term assets
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted cash	$ 0