Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended							6 Months Ended					6 Months Ended					6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments		Jun. 30, 2013 Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments		Mar. 31, 2013 Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments	Jun. 30, 2014 Effective Portion of Deriviatives Designated as Hedging Instruments		Jun. 30, 2013 Effective Portion of Deriviatives Designated as Hedging Instruments		Mar. 31, 2013 Effective Portion of Deriviatives Designated as Hedging Instruments	Jun. 30, 2014 Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations		Jun. 30, 2013 Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations		Mar. 31, 2013 Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations	Jun. 30, 2014 Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities	Jun. 30, 2013 Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities	Mar. 31, 2013 Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ (425,146)	$ (370,615)	$ (411,168)	$ 6,110		$ 62,308		$ 16,563	$ (7,023)		$ (8,139)		$ (7,603)	$ (369,682)		$ (465,286)		$ (434,063)	$ (20)	$ (51)	$ (43)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(2,417)	(24,756)	7,634	[1]	(46,555)	[1]		(1,868)	[2]	536	[2]		(8,187)	[1]	21,255	[1]		4	8
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			8,232	9,968
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net Of Tax, Excluding Amounts Related To Asset Impairment Loss Recognized in Acquisitions and Dispositions					0		0			1		0			8,231		9,968			0	0
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee			(3,808)		(4,440)					0					632					0
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net Of Tax, Amounts Related To Asset Impairment Loss Recognized in Acquisitions and Dispositions			(1,447)		(1,447)					0					0					0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	2,117	(32,844)	560	(14,788)	1,747		(46,555)			(1,867)		536			676		31,223			4	8
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			414	810	425		810			(11)		0			0		0			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation			974	(13,978)	2,172		(45,745)			(1,878)		536			676		31,223			4	8
Ending balance	$ (369,641)		$ (369,641)		$ 8,282				$ 16,563	$ (8,901)				$ (7,603)	$ (369,006)				$ (434,063)	$ (16)		$ (43)

[1] Principally foreign currency fluctuation.

[2] Net change from periodic revaluations.