2.4.0.82101100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentationtruefalsefalse1false falsefalseD2013Q2YTDhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000866609duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:001true 1us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstractus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]2false 2us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:18px;font-size:10pt;">Basis of Presentation</div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:6px;text-indent:32px;font-size:10pt;">The condensed consolidated balance sheet of ION Geophysical Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “ION,” unless the context otherwise requires) at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements at that date. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2013, and the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year or of future operations.</div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:12px;text-indent:32px;font-size:10pt;">These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and applicable rules of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been omitted. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 10-K/A, which was filed on April 17, 2013 and contains the separate consolidated financial statements of INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited (“INOVA Geophysical”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.</div></div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaThe entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 46R -Paragraph 4, 14, 15 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. 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