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Document and Entity Information (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015
Apr. 08, 2015
Jul. 31, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]      
Document Type 10-K    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Jan. 31, 2015    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2015    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Trading Symbol MIND    
Entity Registrant Name MITCHAM INDUSTRIES INC    
Entity Central Index Key 0000926423    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --01-31    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   12,084,056dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding  
Entity Public Float     $ 153,797,443dei_EntityPublicFloat