As you drive 11km south to the top of the Trollstigen, which is Norse for Troll Ladder, you will climb 852m from sea level to glacial plateau.

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It should level off to a plateau, or start dipping.

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The telescope, which is due to be completed by 2012, will consist of 66 radio antennae spread across the Llano de Chajnantor plateau, 5, 000 meters above sea level.

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After each innovation and burst of performance improvement, gains level off, return-on-effort diminishes and results plateau out.

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