Note 9 - Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts - Multi-client Library Costs and Accumulated Amortization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Gross costs of multi-client data creation	$ 1,034,708	$ 1,021,758
Less: accumulated amortization	(847,419)	(838,700)
Less: impairments to multi-client data library	(132,144)	(132,144)
Multi-client data library, net	$ 55,145	$ 50,914

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