Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Components of income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes
United States										$ 256,816	$ 343,515	$ (719,859)
Foreign										(269,197)	(283,070)	(34,767)
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(80,772)	(5,112)	(14,405)	87,908	210,801	200,610		(174,870)	(176,096)	(12,381)	60,445	(754,626)
Current taxes:
United States										2,057	22,275	0
Foreign										(1,865)	(561)	0
State										1,902	8,655	0
Total current taxes										2,094	30,369	0
Deferred taxes:
United States										31,308	19,629	0
Foreign										0	(32,692)	0
State										5,352	1,960	0
Total deferred taxes										36,660	(11,103)	0
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$ (2,696)	$ 21,355	$ 20,063	$ 32	$ 22,660	$ (27,842)	[1]	$ 24,448	$ 0	$ 38,754	$ 19,266	$ 0

[1] During the third quarter of 2011, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $105.8 million. In connection with this impairment charge, the Company recorded a benefit from income taxes of $32.7 million resulting in a net decrease in net income attributable to Vertex related to this impairment charge of $73.1 million in the third quarter of 2011.